BugBytes on YouTube · Open on YouTube
Professional practice: how analytics teams actually work · Competent · Lesson 34 of 99 · 24 min video, then about 1 week of practice
The modern data stack and dbt fundamentals
After this you can describe how data flows from source systems through ingestion, a warehouse, transformation and BI, and build and run a small dbt project.
Why it matters
Most modern analytics teams load raw data into a cloud warehouse and transform it with SQL in dbt, which adds version control, dependencies, testing and documentation to analyst SQL. You do not need to be an engineer to use it, and many analyst job adverts now list it. Work through a real project locally with DuckDB so there is no cloud cost. The trap is treating dbt as magic; it is SQL SELECT statements with a dependency graph.
How to use this resource
A clear 2025 overview of what dbt is and how models, sources, tests and the DAG fit together, with hands-on examples.