Business knowledge vs Tech knowledge, which would hold more value
Business Knowledge vs. Tech Knowledge: Which Holds More Value?
In the dynamic landscape of the tech industry, one question often arises for professionals looking to pivot their careers: What holds more value—business knowledge or technical knowledge? As someone currently positioned as a QA in a financial firm, this question becomes particularly pertinent, especially when contemplating a transition into a development role.
The Context
Working in finance typically requires a robust understanding of both the industry and the technology that supports it. In your current role, you may be involved in projects that highlight your project management skills, leadership qualities, user requirements comprehension, critical thinking, and cross-team collaboration. However, you might feel that your technical skills are lagging behind. This raises the question: Can you successfully move into a development role based solely on your existing skill set?
The Role of Technical Knowledge
The consensus among industry professionals is that landing a development job fundamentally hinges on your technical ability. A comment reflecting this sentiment states, “Landing a dev job primarily depends on your technical ability to effectively develop software.” While possessing strong soft skills is essential, they cannot substitute for the core technical competencies required in development roles.
As another commenter aptly noted, “You pretty much need 0 business knowledge because you aren’t the one deciding how the app behaves; you’re just implementing the behavior.” This highlights the fact that, in many cases, developers are tasked with executing predefined business requirements rather than shaping them.
The Importance of Business Knowledge
However, dismissing business knowledge entirely would be shortsighted. While technical skills may be critical for securing a development position, understanding the business context in which software operates can be invaluable for long-term career success. One commenter pointed out that “Tech knowledge helps you get the job, business knowledge helps you keep it.” This suggests that while technical skills may open doors, business acumen can help you navigate and thrive within an organization.
Moreover, as professionals progress in their careers, the ability to understand and contribute to business strategy becomes increasingly important. A recent discussion around the talk “Being Staff Plus - Ian Cooper - NDC Oslo 2024” emphasizes that many technical engineers must become more business-oriented to advance in their careers.
The Balance Between Both
So, which is more important? The answer often depends on the specific role and industry context. For instance, a senior developer at a FAANG company might need to possess deep domain knowledge, but for most mid-level positions, technical prowess usually takes precedence. “It’s easier to teach a developer the domain than to teach a domain expert how to develop complex distributed systems,” a comment highlights the practical reality many professionals face.
In niche sectors like finance, having domain knowledge can indeed give you an edge during the hiring process. If you know the intricacies of a specific financial process, that can help you land interviews at companies looking for candidates familiar with their domain. However, the general sentiment remains that technical skills are fundamental.
Conclusion: Finding Your Path
Ultimately, the decision between focusing on business knowledge or technical skills may depend on your long-term career goals. If you’re committed to transitioning to a development role, investing in your technical skills should be your primary focus. Yet, don’t underestimate the value of business knowledge as you progress in your career.
Understanding business problems and being able to communicate effectively with stakeholders can significantly enhance your value as a developer. The ideal scenario involves a balance of both: strong technical skills paired with enough business acumen to understand the broader impact of your work.
As you consider your next steps, reflect on where you currently stand. Are you ready to dive deep into coding, or do you see potential in leveraging your existing business knowledge in a different capacity? The tech landscape is vast, and there are many paths to success—choose the one that aligns best with your skills and aspirations.