Which lateral role, leveraging technical understanding, focuses on defining *what* needs to be built by translating user needs into requirements?
Answer
Product Management (PM) / Business Analyst (BA)
Product Management (PM) or Business Analyst (BA) roles capitalize on technical understanding to define the product by understanding user needs and translating those needs into clear requirements for development teams.

Related Questions
What are the three non-negotiable core technical competencies forming the bedrock for aspiring software professionals?Which role is specifically mentioned as an alternative entry point for those without a direct CS degree, allowing on-the-job troubleshooting exposure?What are the three primary career streams a software trajectory typically separates into after the junior stage?How many years of experience does the Engineer or mid-level role (sometimes labeled 'Engineer III') typically require?What significant responsibility marks the transition to the Senior Engineer level (often 7+ years of experience)?How is a Staff Engineer’s success primarily measured, especially in contrast to a Senior Engineer's output?What is usually the first step on the managerial ladder after achieving a senior technical level?Which lateral role, leveraging technical understanding, focuses on defining *what* needs to be built by translating user needs into requirements?What is the primary trade-off for engineers choosing the Freelance or Contract work route?Besides a traditional bachelor's degree, what alternative route is increasingly validated by the industry's shift towards skills-based hiring?