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 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? No; we do still have 3 spaces open in the workshop. To enroll, please fill out our online enrollment form for the class.  Please tell your colleagues about this class. We'd appreciate it, you'll benefit from having more critical mass behind your architecting work, and they'll benefit from the early enrollment discount!

Help My Manager Decide

What is the value of this class?  Over 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.  

Workshop Logistics

What is the location for the workshop? The workshop will be held at the Hotel Orrington, in Evanston, in the greater Chicago area (close to the Metra and CTA train routes).

When does the class start and end? We begin at 9:00am 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 email the invoice to you so that you can arrange payment. Please note that payment is required to complete your registration before we can confirm your place in the class. 

Where should I stay? Please note that accommodation is not included in the workshop price, and you need to make your own reservations. If you reserve by April 5th, ask the Hotel Orrington for the special Bredemeyer rate of $149 for sleeping rooms.