I think the product manager job and product owner role have replaced BAs. I'm a BA, but I think it's a disappearing role in software.
I think my reading falls into three categories. Product management related authors and topics, (technical) project management, and CS fundamentals & software development (this is by far my weakest area and needs a lot more effort).
Sorry, I don't have a good, concise answer for you.
Focusing on software, in my view:
1. BAs are focused on developing internal business applications to be used by the employees of a business. Whereas PMs are focused on developing products to be sold to others (B2B or B2C). BAs were used at organizations where software is a supporter or enabler of the business as opposed to at organizations where the business is software, which would use PMs.
2. The role of a BA is a subset of the role of a PM. So, the PM's focus is a little broader in scope and would include more work with external stakeholders, go to market strategy, revenue, profit and loss, and maybe budgeting.
Beyond that, what exactly is a BA? This is tough to answer because there is no standard definition. BA job descriptions will differ between companies and even within a company, they will differ between departments.
I think BA is more on the finance side of the house and may be lower level, depending on firm. I know there are PM certifications, but BA is more like MBA/MA or bachelors stuff. As someone else said, BA is a wider term.
Hey there! I think there are a few of us out there. I just recently moved back into that role myself and I still read HN on the daily. Commenting not so much.
I visit mostly to keep up with tech news. Occasionally I'll stumble onto threads that give me ideas for solutions at my job. But mostly it's really just to decompress.
I'm a BA. Were somewhat technical, which is part of the reason I'm here. I also am trying to learn more about coding, etc and get further in depth on the technical side. It doesn't come naturally to me though. Hn is a nice place to slowly absorb knowledge about the industry
I think my reading falls into three categories. Product management related authors and topics, (technical) project management, and CS fundamentals & software development (this is by far my weakest area and needs a lot more effort).