There is a tendency in modern tech to want to burn everything down and start over. "That code is 10 years old? Delete it. Let's rebuild it in the newest JavaScript framework."
Hold on a second.
I was there when that "old" code was written. I remember the constraints we had. I remember physically installing servers.
The Value of "Old" Knowledge
Because I've been coding since the 90s, I understand the foundations that the modern web is built on.
- I know why the database is structured that way.
- I know why the server makes that weird noise.
- I know that "Legacy" usually means "It actually makes money."
The Business Analyst's Role
As a BA, my job isn't to blindly advocate for the new shiny toy. It's to look at the legacy system, understand the business logic hidden inside it, and figure out a safe path forward. Sometimes that means a rewrite. But often, it means respecting the old iron while we polish the interface.
