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Can anyone enroll? Yes, the class is an open enrollment workshop, but we do limit the class size to 16.  Also, the Software Architecture class is targeted at practicing software architects or application 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? We have 4 places available. This class is a go. 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. To enroll, please fill out our online enrollment form for the class.  

Help My Manager Decide

What is the value of this class?  Some two thousand very talented and experienced architects have taken our classes. 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 a proven,  effective way to establish a solid foundation of architecture concepts and practice.  

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? 
Rickeys Hyatt
4219 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Tel: 650 352 1234

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? You can stay at Rickeys Hyatt on El Camino Real, as long as you book reasonably soon since Palo Alto hotels tend to fill up. This is not your typical Hyatt. It is a ranch-like, older hotel, and we think the garden rooms and suites are quite charming. There are plenty of other hotels and motels nearby. 

Please note that accommodation is not included in the workshop price, and you need to make your own reservations.  

Area Information

What is there to do in the area?  

• Visit San Francisco, 30+ minutes to the North. 

• Visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (see http://www.nps.gov/goga/sites.htm) and hike in the Marine Headlands (http://www.nps.gov/goga/maps/pdf/map-mahe.pdf). Drive up to Point Reyes and go hiking.

• Rent a kayak and see the Bay from the water. See Seatrek, Sausalito. http://www.seatrekkayak.com/

• Head over to Princeton-by-the-Sea (just north of Half Moon Bay) for lunch or dinner at Mezza Luna. 

• Check the tide tables and visit the tide pools at the Fitzgerald Marine Preserve in Moss Beach. Have lunch or dinner (or better still, Sunday brunch) at the Moss Beach Distillery.

• Come a day early, or stay a day late, just so you can have breakfast at Bette's Ocean View Diner in Berkeley (no ocean view, but great food)!

• Visit Yosemite Valley, 3 hours or so west. If you can stay on for a few days, head for Yosemite. It is spectacular, and if you've never made it there, you owe it to yourself to do so on this trip! 

• Take in the Big Sur coastline. Spectacular! Wonderful places to camp and hike. Truly scenic drive.