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Essential DDD Workshop

Build better software through domain modeling

Domain-Driven Design gives your team a shared language and a set of modeling techniques for building software that reflects how your business actually works. This workshop covers the foundations: collaborative modeling with EventStorming, tactical building blocks like Entities and Value Objects, and hands-on code refactoring. No prior DDD experience needed.

Upcoming Dates

May 5-8, 2026

Virtual - 12 hours total (4 sessions x 3 hours each)
9:00am - Noon MDT (UTC-6:00)
Limited to 25 participants
Early bird: $1,450 USD (until April 3, 2026)
Regular: $1,650 USD
3-5 tickets: code Group_3 for $100 off
6+ tickets: code Group_6 for $200 off
Register

What You Will Learn

1

Domain Modeling Foundations

  • Identify when DDD is the right approach for your project
  • Use EventStorming to discover business processes collaboratively
  • Build a shared domain language that aligns code with how the business thinks
2

Tactical Building Blocks

  • Model domain concepts using Entities, Value Objects, and Domain Events
  • Define clear consistency boundaries that prevent invalid state
  • Refactor existing code to express domain concepts directly
3

Bounded Contexts

  • Find natural boundaries where language and models change
  • Structure modules using connascence to minimize coupling
  • Manage dependencies between contexts without creating a tangled monolith
4

Putting It All Together

  • Apply DDD building blocks to refactor a real codebase
  • Turn EventStorming discoveries into concrete design decisions
  • Leave with practical patterns you can apply on Monday morning

Who Should Attend

  • Software developers who want to write code that reflects the business domain
  • Architects and technical leads looking for practical modeling techniques
  • Product managers who want to bridge the gap between business and technical teams
  • Business analysts who want to contribute directly to software design decisions

No prior DDD experience needed. Some software development background helpful but not required.

Workshop Format

Virtual Delivery

4 sessions x 3 hours each over 4 days

Tools

Zoom for video conferencing and Miro for collaborative exercises

Interactive Format

Small cohort, camera-on participatory format with collaborative exercises

Certificate

Certificate of completion included for all participants who attend the full workshop

What Participants Say

"that some of these practices I've learned through experience as a software dev. But the workshop has not just helped re-inforce it but also tied it to concrete terms I can use. Makes it easier to bring these terms up during team discussions rather than just the vague concepts."

Software Developer

Technology

Essential DDD

"these sessions were really valuable for me, not only for my work at ____, but for my career as a whole. i feel great to be able to see things from a new perspective and gain insights from such a talented teacher."

Software Developer

Technology

Essential DDD

"it is valuable and necessary for PM's to be involved in designing concepts that go into the codebase; it helps to map entities, values, events visually before tackling a refactor so you can see the relationships and dependencies clearly"

Product Manager

Technology

Essential DDD

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Your Instructor

Paul Rayner

Paul Rayner

Software Design Consultant & DDD Practitioner

35+ years in software development. Creator of Explore DDD conference. Trained 580+ workshop participants with a 9.2/10 average rating. Author and speaker on Domain-Driven Design, EventStorming, and collaborative software design.

Full Bio

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need DDD experience?

No, this is a foundations course that teaches DDD from the ground up. The workshop is designed for participants at all levels, whether you are new to domain-driven design or looking to solidify your understanding.

Is there coding involved?

Yes, Sessions 2 and 4 include hands-on code refactoring exercises. Examples are language-agnostic but implementation is in Java/C#.

How is this different from Strategic DDD?

Essential DDD covers foundational patterns and tactical building blocks. Strategic DDD (which builds on Essential DDD) focuses on organizational boundaries and large-scale design. If you are new to DDD, start here.

What materials do I receive?

All participants receive a certificate of completion, course slides, code examples, Miro templates, and reference materials.

Do you offer team discounts?

Yes! Use these discount codes when registering:

  • 3-5 tickets: use code Group_3 for $100 off per ticket
  • 6+ tickets: use code Group_6 for $200 off per ticket

For groups of 10+, consider a private workshop customized to your specific domain.

Ready to Level Up Your Design Skills?

Join the next Essential DDD workshop and start applying domain modeling techniques to your projects.

Register Now