Clerk in Carters (US baby clothes store): May I help you find something?
Me: OMG no. There should be a sign saying “Are you a new grandparent with a credit card? We provide supervision.”
Clerk: [beat] I’m gonna get you a basket.
The Value of Explore
One community had more positive impact on my career than any other (by far). My skill set has deepened and broadened; my influence has grown. Modern architectural challenges are systems challenges – designing relationships between software parts. I’m more able to engage these challenges with others. My toolbox overflows with approaches to designing software systems that change what matters, rather than “fix” systemic problems with bubble gum and duct tape.
That community is speaking at the Explore conference in Denver this April.
It’s rare to learn from this group without leaving the US. For software professionals, especially architects, Explore DDD is one of the most valued and valuable US conferences.
Learn the big skills from the people who know them:
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Eric Evans literally wrote the book on Domain-Driven Design. Workshopping with him is more than hands-on experience. It’s experiencing the way his mind gently yet persistently looks into the heart of things. Discover how to have tremendous impact without tremendous force.
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If you are new to DDD, Paul Rayner is the best coach I’ve worked with. He’ll make the concepts accessible and applicable so you benefit right away.
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EventStorming is a tool that transforms how organizations design their software systems. At Explore, Alberto Brandolini, the creator, will teach us how to do it effectively.
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Chris Richardson, Microservices Master, teaches how to design them. Design, not just throw software tools at multiple Docker containers until they fall over.
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You can practice Architecture Modernization with Nick Tune (who wrote the book on it) and the engineering leader Indu Alagarsamy. They are as practical as they are enjoyable.
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Apply Team Topologies for Fast Flow by workshopping with Elizabeth Ayer and Christopher Marsh. My favorite thing about them is: their wisdom comes from lived experience in difficult professional situations. Yet somehow, they are still helping us all do better.
Explore isn’t an “everyone only wants to talk about Kubernetes” (or DDDD) conference. A blend of talks gives you a more holistic approach to technology development. Each speaker is excellent at both technology design and speaking. The best of both worlds.
Explore:
Observability with Jessica Kerr. C4 modeling with Ryan Shriver, CTO at SingleStone. Using the architecture for flow canvas with Suzanne Kaiser. AI for engineering with Phillip Bohnenkamp. Systems theory and design with Ruth Malan. Teaching DDD thinking to developers, architects, managers and executives with Tobias Goeschel. Making your career more resiliant with Nivia Henry. Doubling engineering productivity with Randy Shoup. Data Mesh with Eric Scholer
… and more speakers who re, but deserved to be on this list but there is only so much attention span I can ask you for!
I’m teaching a 2-day Systems Thinking workshop and opening the conference with an exploration of knowledge flow. I’d love for you to join me.
But primarily, I hope you will join us. Join us in bringing critical skills, explorations, practices and discussions to American tech teams.
And enjoy every minute of it.

In the modern age, architecture transcends any single toolset. It’s about designing relationships between parts and adapting as circumstances change. Join me at NDC London 2025 for “Architecture isn’t Kubernetes” delve into the sociotechnical skills we also need. bit.ly/40IuSuo

If you haven’t read this already … today might be the perfect day.
Started reading: Infomocracy
I just finished reading the first two books in Malka Ann Older’s “The Investigations of Mossa and Pleiti” series. I couldn’t wait for the third one to be published … so picked up her first (and perhaps best known) book.
Diana quoted A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers(Wayfarers, #2)
"Was she capable of that kind of flow? If she could disable her ability to track time, could she lose herself the way they did?"
— Becky Chambers: A Closed and Common Orbit, p. 61
Review of A Closed and Common Orbit
I fell in love with the characters in Becky Chambers' first book of the Wayward series. When I realized the second book didn't include (most of) them, I almost stopped reading.
Thank goodness I didn't. I fell in love with these characters too. Which made picking up the next book even easier.
Chambers writes intelligent, insightful stories that are so smooth, I flow through them like talking with a good friend.
Buy it at Bookshop
I pasted this link into family chat. Then realized … my grandbaby is going to be born into the geekiest family. www.youtube.com/watch
I am the luckiest O'Reilly author. @teapot418, the talented artist and software professional, created a Sketchnote for each chapter of Learning Systems Thinking.
Lisa's work is magic. In a single artifact, she weaves concepts together to form meaning. Simultaneously, she makes us feel entertained.
I hope to see more of Lisa' work published. More importantly, I hope to see more Sketchnotes used to describe technology systems. Lisa can teach us how to make our work more impactful.
Today's addition to the Systems Library. Communication Patterns: A Guide for Developers and Architects by Jacqui Read @tekiegirl
Practice the Art and Science of Systems Thinking!
Here's what we'll explore in this intensive 2-day workshop at goto; CPH ...
🗓️ Sep 31 & Oct 1
🔗 Register here: [https://gotocph.com/2024/masterclasses/464/2-days-learning-systems-thinking]
Transform your thinking, transform your impact!
Learn how to approach real-world technology challenges with systems thinking. Join me for a 2-day masterclass at GOTO Copenhagen!
📅 Sept 30 & Oct 1st
🔗 Sign up here: [https://gotocph.com/2024/masterclasses/464/2-days-learning-systems-thinking]
The best way to learn systems thinking is to dive in into a problem with no single solution! Join us for a two-day, hands-on, think together experience.
https://gotocph.com/2024/masterclasses/464/2-days-learning-systems-thinking
The best way to learn systems thinking is to dive in into a problem with no single solution! Join us for a two-day, hands-on, think together experience.
https://gotocph.com/2024/masterclasses/464/2-days-learning-systems-thinking
Diana finished reading The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers(Wayfarers, #1)
I have been on a Becky Chambers journey. I'm experiencing stress from deadlines, travels, etc ... not bad stress, but I do need a space to rest. Becky Chambers is my book friend, keeping me excellent company.
(comment on The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet)