Clarify the big picture. Focus on what matters. Make strategic design work in the real world.
In complex systems, some design decisions shape the future of your entire product or organization. Yet the larger the system, the easier it is for modeling efforts to get diluted or disconnected from the core design.
Strategic Design is a 2-day deep-dive workshop led by Eric Evans, author of Domain-Driven Design, known globally for introducing essential tools like context mapping, core domain focus, and bounded contexts.
This workshop gives Development Leaders, Architects, and Technical Managers the mindset and tools to make meaningful design decisions in complex, multi-team environments, even when legacy constraints are involved.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
- Map and navigate complexity in large-scale systems through context mapping
- Distill your core domain and align design work with business priorities
- Coordinate across multiple teams and development styles without losing focus
- Design systems that balance in-house innovation and off-the-shelf components
- Launch new projects that break free from legacy baggage without breaking the business
- Make architecture and modeling decisions that stick, even in messy real-world constraints.
The Trainer
Eric Evans is the author of the book Domain-Driven Design: Tackling Complexity in the Heart of Software and founder of Domain Language.
He has helped development teams around the world improve the way they design, model, and collaborate. His ideas have shaped modern software architecture and continue to influence how technical and business teams work together.
Target Audience
This workshop is ideal for:
- Software and solution architects
- Technical leaders and engineering managers
- Senior developers working across teams or services
- Product and platform owners dealing with complex systems.
If you are leading teams, working with distributed systems, or shaping the architecture of a large-scale product, this is for you.
Agenda
Day 1: See the system clearly
Context Mapping
- Pragmatic approach to dealing with diverse models and designs on real projects
- Relationships between subsystems/ relationships between teams.
Distilling the Core Domain
- Aligning software strategy with business strategy
- Distinguishing the differentiators from the mass of requirements
- Clarifying a shared vision
- Setting up a project for success.
Day 2 – Make legacy work for you
- Enabling innovation even when you rely heavily on legacy systems
- Devising Strategies
- Relationship to architectures such as microservices.
How It Works
This is a hands-on, discussion-based workshop. You will work in small groups on real-world modeling exercises and explore decision-making patterns in complex settings. The format mixes short lectures with collaborative design activities. No slides-only sessions, just real practice.
FAQ
Do I need any prior knowledge to join this workshop?
This workshop is best suited for participants with experience in large-scale systems and multi-team development. Familiarity with complex software projects will help you fully engage with the content.
Should I bring my laptop?
No laptop needed. The workshop is practical but not tool-based. Pen, paper, and your experience are all you need.
