Essential Domain-Driven Design

Paul Rayner 2-Day Workshop
Mon-Tue, Sept 21-22

Get grounded in DDD. Learn what matters, why it matters, and how to apply it.

Domain-driven design has a reputation for being complex, with layers of patterns, acronyms, and conflicting advice. This workshop cuts through the noise. In two hands-on days, you'll build a solid foundation in the ideas, techniques, and skills that make DDD work in real project contexts.

Whether you're new to DDD, have read about it but aren't sure how to apply it, or want to bring a shared understanding to your team, this workshop gives you practical tools you can use immediately.

What you will learn

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Identify which business problems benefit most from a DDD approach and where to focus your effort
• Bridge the communication gap between business and technical people using ubiquitous language
• Run collaborative domain discovery sessions using EventStorming with your whole team
• Refactor code to express domain concepts clearly through a ubiquitous language
• Apply key building block patterns for domain modeling in your own codebase
• Use context mapping to guide design decisions across teams and system boundaries
• Pinpoint your core domain and focus investment where it creates the greatest impact
• Choose architectural patterns that support and sustain your domain model

The Trainer

Paul Rayner is a software design consultant and trainer with over 35 years of experience helping organizations address complex software challenges. He founded Explore DDD, the premier North American conference for Domain-Driven Design practitioners. His approach combines technical excellence with facilitation skills to help teams discover better solutions together. He is the author of The EventStorming Handbook.

Who this workshop is for

• Developers and tech leads exploring DDD for the first time
• Teams adopting DDD who want a shared foundation
• Practitioners with some DDD exposure who want to fill in gaps and build confidence
• Anyone who has read about DDD but isn't sure how to apply it on real projects

Agenda

Day 1: Foundations

• What DDD is and what kinds of problems it addresses
• The central role of software design
• Growing a ubiquitous language
• Collaborative domain discovery with EventStorming

Day 2: Patterns and application

• Building block patterns for domain modeling
• Refactoring toward a ubiquitous language
• Context mapping for multi-team design
• Identifying your core domain
• Architectural patterns to support DDD

How it works

This is a highly interactive, hands-on workshop. You'll work through collaborative exercises, pairing activities, and group discussions, not just listen to lectures. The goal is to connect the pieces of DDD together so you can see what fits, what matters most, and how to take it back to your project.

FAQ

Do I need any prior DDD experience?

No. This workshop is designed for all levels, from complete beginners to practitioners who want to solidify their foundation.

Should I bring my laptop?

Yes. We'll be doing pairing exercises that require laptops. We'll be reading code, but no coding experience is necessary.

What should I wear?

Informal. Wear comfortable shoes as many of the activities involve walking around and standing up.

Workshop Details

Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day

Max participants: 25

Prerequisites: None

Included: Coffee breaks and lunch with the trainer and fellow attendees are included in the workshop ticket.

Only available in-person in the USA this year at Explore DDD.