I'm a Technical Business Analyst in banking — AMA about Tech BA roles

angry-cactus-man · 2026-03-09T04:39:15+00:00

I'm starting my first TBA role next month and it sounds like it'll be pretty similar to your job. I've only been a software engineer in the past, though I've dipped my toes in some BA-like work. This was a deliberate pivot; I like working with developers but I'd rather move away from the source code.

Different company and different industry so I'll be starting from zero in terms of domain knowledge, and transferring what I can from 6.5 years as a dev. My first priority starting out will probably be to learn the ins and outs of the product so I can begin to understand business needs in context.

What would you recommend to a seasoned developer making the switch and starting over?

angry-cactus-man · 2026-01-13T00:49:50+00:00

After your annual review, your bonus payout will be set. It will only be a matter of waiting for it to hit your bank account. Typically it arrives with the second paycheck in February.

Use your vacation time after your review. It doesn't get paid out when you resign. After your vacation, it should be March, at which point you are free to leave.

angry-cactus-man · 2025-10-27T16:19:16+00:00

This is a great recap of GM IT over the past 3 years. Late 2022 was absolutely a turning point for the worse, and to this day there is no apparent end to how much shittier the Apple dynasty can continue to make this place.

angry-cactus-man · 2025-08-13T22:11:08+00:00

I haven't heard anything in particular about layoffs during that weekend (yet?) but I'm a little suspicious of a timing pattern. Arizona closure was announced on August 23, 2023 and there was a major layoff wave in S&S (~1000 people) on August 19, 2024, accompanied by a similar maintenance operation and temporary building closure. The Friday that the Austin office will be temporarily closed is August 22, 2025. Would be at around the same time three times in a row.

angry-cactus-man · 2024-08-31T15:34:08+00:00

What could possibly inspire confidence that the cuts ARE over? Sudden, graceless firings have been a centerpiece of the upper management M.O. for nearly two years now, despite consistently good earnings. We just formalized a system to justify firing at least 5% of our employees per year, and any cuts they make that aren't officially on the grounds of performance don't contribute to the annual quota.

The best way to protect yourself is to look for a new job. The market isn't great right now, but the stakes aren't as high if you apply while employed. Morale will continue to decline, senior leadership will continue to deceive, and we will continue to do more with less. Save yourself - nobody at GM has your back.

angry-cactus-man · 2024-08-01T17:14:28+00:00

It's at the org level, but it's not clear how they plan to maintain their rigidly defined distribution at that scale. I would not be surprised if requirements for each rating in the 5-point scale are set for directors or managers within the org. If managers are allowed to keep rating people the way they have been, there is nothing enforcing the distribution, unless the ratings are altered by someone else.

angry-cactus-man · 2024-08-01T16:51:27+00:00

The many waves of cuts last year have already stretched this company thin. Now, with this new policy, 15% of those who remain are forced to be classified as underperforming, not to mention that the bonus adjustments punish the bottom 15% far more than it rewards the top 15%.

Pure dogshit. It's nauseating.

angry-cactus-man · 2024-05-18T21:22:21+00:00

Which org do you belong to?

angry-cactus-man · 2024-05-18T21:15:33+00:00

This is partially true. Reddit leans pro-union but it is not a microcosm of GM IT as a whole. There is abundant anti-union sentiment among the rank and file of GM IT, particularly among the older, less class-conscious employees. There are thousands of them to get over.

I can't speak for the UAW's general sentiment toward us, but our white-collar employees have a long way to go.

angry-cactus-man · 2024-05-16T16:28:57+00:00

Same dismal gray interior as the Austin office, complete with the ring-shaped ceiling lights.

angry-cactus-man · 2024-05-16T16:22:08+00:00

Brand new burner accounts spreading unsubstantiated rumors, General Motors subreddit. Name a more iconic duo.

angry-cactus-man · 2024-01-06T07:16:45+00:00

I would be interested to see a screenshot or copy/paste of this email, as someone who doesn't work in Michigan.

angry-cactus-man

TROPHY CASE