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:

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Chris Richardson, Microservices Master, teaches how to design them. Design, not just throw software tools at multiple Docker containers until they fall over.

  • 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.

  • 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.