I was the trainer in this particular class and I would like to apologize to Earl for not making the message clearer. In no way was it intended to sound like anyone can do anything. In fact in the class it was specifically stated that the view that everyone can code is a mistake and it doesn't work. That would be a purist/dogma view and would be lunacy. The statement was that everyone needs to step outside their skills and help other team members. Even if it means that BAs test, developers write requirements, or any other combination, "as long as they have the skillset and/or mentoring available to be able to do so". The goal is teamwork, not replacing specialists with generalists. In addition, calling everyone a "developer" is not intended to reduce the value of that skillset. Instead it's to promote the concept that the entire team is producing the product, not just developers/coders. A tester or BA, etc., is no less valuable than any other team member and everyone is involved in "developing" the product. I would like to suggest that next time you are in a class and you feel so strongly about something, that perhaps you should ask a question in the class rather than taking to public forums. I would have gladly explained further or had a debate in person. Perhaps then you could have walked away with a better understanding. Again, I would like to apologize if that message was not properly conveyed.