Systems Work
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:
-
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.
“The one who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone is likely to find themselves in places no one has ever been before.” – Albert Einstein
This talk “presents a new lens to understand our contemporary world” and “a set of tools that honor and leverage emergence in order to have agency and impact.” It’s not about technology. But if I didn’t tell you that, you’d probably think it was.
Why turning off Messages before you begin your focus session is important. Your friends are interesting or they wouldn’t be your friends.
Andrew Harmel-Law is writing Facilitating Software Architecture while I am writing Learning Systems Thinking. Today we started a 30 day challenge using Writing Analytics. I’m not usually motivated by data tracking but this tool has improved my focus significantly. app.writinganalytics.co
Early in my career as a systems architect, I felt alone with the challenges I faced. Now, I am surrounded by people who understand. The key to our success is learning from each other and sharing insights. We are all in this together.
Part 3 of Learning Systems Thinking has been added to the early release. It’s delightful to be this close to finishing the book. I look forward to your feedback! www.oreilly.com/library/v…
The Joy of Solitude
I resist bringing my full attention back to focused work, like a toddler who doesn’t want her face washed. Even though, focus is joy.
Personhood
This week, my intention was to be more mindful when attending online work meetings. As I did, I noticed something: I’ve constructed a Me Who Goes to Meetings. Read More
Rest and Renew
I’ve learned essential lessons about rest and renewal over the last decade. For example, renewing my energy is the most trustworthy bellwether of career satisfaction and success. Which surprised me. Pushing less hard is counterintuitive.
Wisdom crafters
Wisdom crafters are seekers of a philosophic sunrise. They work hard, often in the shadows, to discover insights that change our view of things. Sometimes gently. Sometimes like a bolt of lighting.
