Help Me Decide

Can anyone enroll? Yes, the class is an open enrollment workshop, but we do limit the class size.  Also, the Software Architecture class is targeted at practicing software architects and technical leads, and managers of software architecture teams.

What does the Software Architecture Workshop cover? The Architecture class covers our Software Architecture Decision Framework™ (see ArchitectureDefinition.PDF), our Visual Architecting Process™ (see VisualArchitectingProcess.PDF), including architecture modeling, and the Role of the Architect (see ArchitectRole.PDF). Please see our book draft for a better idea of our approach to architecture. 

Does the class apply to other architecture disciplines? The Software Architecture Workshop, as the name implies, focuses on software architecture, and uses UML as the visual modeling language, where it applies. Many of the techniques and concepts apply to other architecture disciplines, and we have had people from the related architecture disciplines take the class and find it valuable.

Is the class full? No, we still have 4 places available. Please do tell your colleagues about this class. We'd appreciate it, and you'll benefit from having more critical mass behind your architecting work. Please enroll soon as time is running out. 

Help My Manager Decide

What is the value of this class?  Literally hundreds of very talented and experienced architects have taken our classes. At the end, the vast majority strongly claim that their business will get value from their having taken the class. Even the most experienced architects consistently identify key steps that they have not been undertaking on their architecting projects. They also identify much that they have been doing right, and value this confirmation of their use of best practice. Doing the right steps, in the right order, to the right extent, with good techniques and sound principles, saves architects time and makes them more effective. Yes, there is some strength to the argument that architecting skills are learned from experience--but the lesson is always much less costly when it is from someone else's experience! We have focused exclusively on software architectures, effective architectural practice, and architecture teaching since 1995, and arguably lead the industry in synthesizing architecture experience into our approach to architecture and our training classes.  

Who else should take this class? We firmly believe that individuals can bring about significant organizational change, but it takes effort and attention. It would behoove your team to focus this leadership and effort on making the architecture successful, rather than on figuring out a common team approach to creating the architecture! Having the entire team take the class is obviously the most effective way to establish a solid foundation of architecture concepts and practice.  

This is the only 4-day Software Architecture Workshop on the schedule during the remainder of 2004. The next open enrollment class in the US will be in the Spring of 2005, so unless you decide to hold the class in-house before then, this is the last chance to take the class for several months.

Please let others know about this workshop--you can email this page using the "File/Send/Page by Email" option on Internet Explorer!

Workshop Logistics

What is the location for the workshop? The workshop will be held at the Warren Conference Center in Ashland, MA. It is 25 miles from Boston. It is in a wooded, lakeside setting, and a great time of the year to be in such a setting in New England. Don't forget your camera.

When does the class start and end? We begin at 8:30am and generally end at 5pm. We serve lunch, and morning and afternoon snacks. Continental breakfast is available from 8am.

How do I enroll? Please fill out our online enrollment form to register for the class. We will contact you for payment information, and your registration will be complete once payment is made. 

Where should I stay? We strongly encourage you to stay at the Warren Conference Center and Inn where the workshop is being held, as this will allow extended opportunities to network with other architects attending the workshop. It is a lovely, distraction-free setting, purpose built for team-building and professional events.  

Please note that accommodation is not included in the workshop price, and you need to make your own reservations. The rate for a sleeping room plus dinner is $150 per person per night at the Warren Conference Center and Inn where the workshop is being held. Spouses may stay at the Inn for an added charge of $30 per night (this charge does not include any meals). Children are also welcome, and the price children staying in the parent's room on a roll-away bed is $10 per roll-away (again, food is an extra charge). 

To make a reservation, you can call the Warren at 508.231.3000. 

Area Information

What is there to do in the area?  

• See the Fall colors. It is just a short trip up to New Hampshire or Vermont! In past years, colors have generally been at their peak in the first week of October in New Hampshire, and a bit later further south in New England (e.g., Connecticut).