Michael Carducci

Mastering Microservices

9:00 AM MDT

Microservices has emerged as both a popular and powerful architecture, yet the promised benefits overwhelmingly fail to materialize. Industry analyst, Gartner, estimates that “More than 90% of organizations who try to adopt microservices will fail…” If you hope to be part of that successful 10%, read on…

Why is the failure rate so high?

Succeeding with microservices requires optimizing for organization-level goals with all teams “rowing in the same direction” which is easier said than done. While the microservices architecture may have been well-defined at some point in history, today the word “microservices” is used as an umbrella to refer to a vast and diverse set of coarse-to-fine grained distributed systems. In short, thanks to the phenomenon of semantic diffusion, the term “microservices” means many different things to many different people.

The promised benefits of microservices (e.g. extremely high agility, scalability, elasticity, deployability, testability, evolvability, etc.) are achieved through a highly contextual hyper-optimization of both the logical architecture of the system as well as optimization of technical practices, tooling, and the organization itself. Operating based on someone else's reference architecture (optimized for their problem space, not yours) or attempting to apply the architectural topology without the necessary team and process maturity is often just laying the foundation for yet another microservice mega disaster.

There simply is no one-sized-fits-all approach to component granularity, optimal inter-service communication, data granularity, data replication and aggregation, minimizing or managing distributed transactions, asynchronous event orchestration or choreography, technology and platform selection/management, along with so many more decisions that are highly contextual. In short, adopting this architecture requires correctly making hundreds of decisions on a path that is fraught with traps and landmines. This is one of the hardest architectures to execute well. In markets with ever-increasing competitiveness, slow and costly trial-and-error is untenable.

Mastering Microservices

Mastering microservices requires that architects and developers understand the numerous tradeoffs (and their consequences) to arrive at an architecture that is both in-reach of the development teams and organization as well as capable of delivering the promised (and often necessary) -illities. This requires deep understanding of the terrain the architect will be exploring, extensive hands-on practice, and the latest tools, patterns, and practices; all of which this workshop is designed to deliver.

If you or your organization hopes to venture down this path, or if you already have but the organization and system is struggling to deliver necessary -illities, or if you just want to have a better understanding of the complex yet powerful architecture category; this workshop is for you.

Architecture Blindspots, Biases, and Blunders: Avoiding Common Pitfalls in System Design

8:30 AM MDT

Architectural decisions are often influenced by blindspots, biases, and unchecked assumptions, which can lead to significant long-term challenges in system design. In this session, we’ll explore how these cognitive traps affect decision-making, leading to architectural blunders that could have been avoided with a more critical, holistic approach.

You’ll learn how common biases—such as confirmation bias and anchoring—can cloud judgment, and how to counteract them through problem-space thinking and reflective feedback loops. We’ll dive into real-world examples of architectural failures caused by biases or narrow thinking, and discuss strategies for expanding your perspective and applying critical thinking to system design.

Whether you’re an architect, developer, or technical lead, this session will provide you with tools to recognize and mitigate the impact of biases and blindspots, helping you make more informed, thoughtful architectural decisions that stand the test of time.

Architecting the Future: Evolving Legacy Systems with the Tailor-Made Architecture Model

10:30 AM MDT

Modernizing legacy systems is often seen as a daunting task, with many teams falling into the trap of rigid rewrites or expensive overhauls that disrupt the business. The Tailor-Made Architecture Model (TMAM) offers a new approach—one that is centered on incremental evolution through design-by-constraint. By using TMAM, architects can guide legacy systems through a flexible, structured modernization process that minimizes risk and aligns with both technical and organizational needs.

In this session, we’ll explore how TMAM facilitates smooth modernization by identifying and addressing architectural constraints without resorting to drastic rewrites. We’ll dive into real-world examples of how legacy systems were evolved incrementally and discuss how TMAM provides a framework for future-proofing your systems. Through its focus on trade-offs, communication, and holistic fit, TMAM ensures that your modernization efforts not only solve today’s problems but also prepare your system for the challenges of tomorrow.

This session is ideal for architects, developers, and technical leads who are tasked with modernizing legacy systems and are looking for a structured, flexible approach that avoids the pitfalls of rigid rewrites. Learn how to evolve your legacy system while keeping it adaptable, scalable, and resilient.

Hypermedia APIs and the Future of AI Agentic Systems

1:00 PM MDT

The age of hypermedia-driven APIs is finally upon us, and it’s unlocking a radical new future for AI agents. By combining the power of the Hydra linked-data vocabulary with semantic payloads, APIs can become fully self-describing and consumable by intelligent agents, paving the way for a new class of autonomous systems. In this session, we’ll explore how mature REST APIs (level 3) open up groundbreaking possibilities for agentic systems, where AI agents can perform complex tasks without human intervention.

You’ll learn how language models can understand and interact with hypermedia-driven APIs, and how linked data can power autonomous decision-making. We’ll also examine real-world use cases where AI agents use these advanced APIs to transform industries—from e-commerce to enterprise software. If you’re ready to explore the future of AI-driven systems and how hypermedia APIs are the key to unlocking it, this session will give you the knowledge and tools to get started.

Refactoring REST APIs for the Last Time: Strategies for a Future-Proof Design

3:00 PM MDT

REST APIs often fall into a cycle of constant refactoring and rewrites, leading to wasted time, technical debt, and endless rework. This is especially difficult when you don't control the API clients.

But what if this could be your last major API refactor? In this session, we’ll dive into strategies for designing and refactoring REST APIs with long-term sustainability in mind—ensuring that your next refactor sets you up for the future.

You’ll learn how to design APIs that can adapt to changing business requirements and scale effectively without requiring constant rewrites. We’ll explore principles like extensibility, versioning, and decoupling, all aimed at future-proofing your API while keeping backward compatibility intact. Along the way, we’ll examine real-world examples of incremental API refactoring, where breaking the cycle of endless rewrites is possible.

This session is perfect for API developers, architects, and tech leads who are ready to stop chasing their tails and want to invest in designing APIs that will stand the test of time—so they can focus on building great features instead of constantly rewriting code.

Managing Tech Teams: Rules, Tools & Insights

5:00 PM MDT

Software projects can be difficult to manage. Managing teams of developers can be even difficult. We've created countless processes, methodologies, and practices but the underlying problems remain the same.

This session is full of practical tips and tricks to deal with the reallife situations any tech leader regularly encounters. Put these techniques into practice and create an enviable culture and an outstanding development team. At the same time, you'll avoid common management mistakes and pitfalls.

Six Secrets to Succeeding with Microservices

9:00 AM MDT

Microservices architecture has become a buzzword in the tech industry, promising unparalleled agility, scalability, and resilience. Yet, according to Gartner, more than 90% of organizations attempting to adopt microservices will fail. How can you ensure you're part of the successful 10%?

Success begins with looking beyond the superficial topology and understanding the unique demands this architectural style places on the teams, the organization, and the environment. These demands must be balanced against the current business needs and organizational realities while maintaining a clear and pragmatic path for incremental evolution.

In this session, Michael will share some real-world examples, practical insights, and proven techniques to balance both the power and complexities of microservices. Whether you're considering adopting microservices or already on the journey and facing challenges, this session will equip you with the knowledge and tools to succeed.

Mob Mentality Collaborative coding and problem solving

11:00 AM MDT

Mob Programming is a style of programming in which the entire team sits together and
works on a single task at a time. Teams that have worked this way have found that
many of the problems that plague normal development just melted away, possibly because communication and learning increases. Teams also find that the quality of their code increases. They find their capacity to create increases. However, the best part of all this is that teams end up being happier and more cohesive.

In this session we introduce the core concepts of mob programming and then get handson mobbing on a coding kata.

Third Way Web Development with HTMX

1:30 PM MDT

When the world wide web launched in 1993, it presented a revolutionary new way to globally share information. The revolution didn't stop there. The web soon became a platform for building, hosting, and distributing entire applications. Today most applications are built as web applications yet the core capabilities of HTML remain mired in the Web 1.0 days. Ajax was the first of many “hacks” to build web applications that delivered the rich, responsive user experience that rivaled traditional fatclient applications. Early js libraries and frameworks overcame browser incompatibilities and provided the first abstractions to hide the hacks and today's frameworks are so powerful that conventional wisdom states they are the defacto best practice for building modern web applications. But at what cost?

We've gone fullcircle. Today's SPAs have more in common with the fat client applications of the 90s (albeit with simplified deployment) than they do with the web. The modern UX of today's frameworkdriven SPAs is what users demand, thus we follow the everchanging trends; but at what cost? Beyond the bloat, complexity, and ephemerality of the modern webdev toolchain; modern webdev practices have inadvertently abandoned the core ideas of the web that made the platform technologically, architecturally, and philosophically revolutionary.

Leading thinkers in the web development space have long proclaimed that “not everything should be a SPA” however the alternative of a web 1.0 vanilla html application has very limited utility in the year 2024. Are these our only options, or does a “third way” exist?

This session introduces that “third way” based on the revolutionary ideas that empowered the web. A meaningful, practical, and proven alternative to SPA frameworks providing a simpler and more lightweight approach to building applications on the Web and beyond without sacrificing the UX.

Web applications built following this “third way” boast more evolvability, longevity, and simplicity. SPAs will continue to have their place, but good software engineering is about using the right tool for the job. After attending this session, you will have more than just a hammer in your toolbox.

Third Way Web Development with HTMX

3:15 PM MDT

When the world wide web launched in 1993, it presented a revolutionary new way to globally share information. The revolution didn't stop there. The web soon became a platform for building, hosting, and distributing entire applications. Today most applications are built as web applications yet the core capabilities of HTML remain mired in the Web 1.0 days. Ajax was the first of many “hacks” to build web applications that delivered the rich, responsive user experience that rivaled traditional fatclient applications. Early js libraries and frameworks overcame browser incompatibilities and provided the first abstractions to hide the hacks and today's frameworks are so powerful that conventional wisdom states they are the defacto best practice for building modern web applications. But at what cost?

We've gone fullcircle. Today's SPAs have more in common with the fat client applications of the 90s (albeit with simplified deployment) than they do with the web. The modern UX of today's frameworkdriven SPAs is what users demand, thus we follow the everchanging trends; but at what cost? Beyond the bloat, complexity, and ephemerality of the modern webdev toolchain; modern webdev practices have inadvertently abandoned the core ideas of the web that made the platform technologically, architecturally, and philosophically revolutionary.

Leading thinkers in the web development space have long proclaimed that “not everything should be a SPA” however the alternative of a web 1.0 vanilla html application has very limited utility in the year 2024. Are these our only options, or does a “third way” exist?

This session introduces that “third way” based on the revolutionary ideas that empowered the web. A meaningful, practical, and proven alternative to SPA frameworks providing a simpler and more lightweight approach to building applications on the Web and beyond without sacrificing the UX.

Web applications built following this “third way” boast more evolvability, longevity, and simplicity. SPAs will continue to have their place, but good software engineering is about using the right tool for the job. After attending this session, you will have more than just a hammer in your toolbox.

The Art of Innovation

5:00 PM MDT

Statistically speaking, you are most probably an innovator. Innovators actively seek out new ideas, technologies, and mental models by reading books, interacting with a broader social circle, and attending conferences. While you may leave this conference with the seed of an idea that has the potential to transform your teams, products, and organization; the battle has only begun. While, as a potential changeagent, you are ideally positioned to conceive of the powerful new ideas, you may be powerless to drive the change that leads to adoption. Your success requires the innovation to diffuse outward and become adopted. This is the art of Innovation.

Fortunately there has been over a century of study on the topic of how innovations go from novel idea to mainstream adoption. The art of innovation is difficult, but tractable and this session illuminates the path. You will get to the heart of why some innovations succeed while others fail as well as how to tip the scales in your favor. You'll leave armed with the tools to become a powerful change agent in your career and life and, ultimately, become a more powerful and influential person.

Architecture Patterns for AIPowered Applications

8:30 AM MDT

Since ChatGPT rocketed the potential of generative AI into the collective consciousness there has been a race to add AI to everything. Every product owner has been salivating at the possibility of new AIPowered features. Every marketing department is chomping at the bit to add a “powered by AI” sticker to the website. For the average layperson playing with ChatGPT's conversational interface, it seems easy however integrating these tools securely, reliably, and in a costeffective manner requires much more than simply adding a chat interface. Moreover, getting consistent results from a chat interface is more than an art than a science. Ultimately, the chat interface is a nice gimmick to show off capabilities, but serious integration of these tools into most applications requires a more thoughtful approach.

This is not another “AI is Magic” cheerleading session, nor an overly critical analysis of the field. Instead, this session looks at a number of valid usecases for the tools and introduces architecture patterns for implementing these usecases. Throughout we will explore the tradeoffs of the patterns as well as the application of AI in each scenario. We'll explore usecases from simple, direct integrations to the more complex involving RAG and agentic systems.

Although this is an emerging field, the content is not theoretical. These are patterns that are being used in production both in Michael's practice as a handson software architect and beyond.

Architects must maintain their breadth, and this session will build on that to prepare you for the inevitable AIpowered project in your future.

Architecture Patterns for AIPowered Applications

10:30 AM MDT

Since ChatGPT rocketed the potential of generative AI into the collective consciousness there has been a race to add AI to everything. Every product owner has been salivating at the possibility of new AIPowered features. Every marketing department is chomping at the bit to add a “powered by AI” sticker to the website. For the average layperson playing with ChatGPT's conversational interface, it seems easy however integrating these tools securely, reliably, and in a costeffective manner requires much more than simply adding a chat interface. Moreover, getting consistent results from a chat interface is more than an art than a science. Ultimately, the chat interface is a nice gimmick to show off capabilities, but serious integration of these tools into most applications requires a more thoughtful approach.

This is not another “AI is Magic” cheerleading session, nor an overly critical analysis of the field. Instead, this session looks at a number of valid usecases for the tools and introduces architecture patterns for implementing these usecases. Throughout we will explore the tradeoffs of the patterns as well as the application of AI in each scenario. We'll explore usecases from simple, direct integrations to the more complex involving RAG and agentic systems.

Although this is an emerging field, the content is not theoretical. These are patterns that are being used in production both in Michael's practice as a handson software architect and beyond.

Architects must maintain their breadth, and this session will build on that to prepare you for the inevitable AIpowered project in your future.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Unlocking our Future

1:00 PM MDT

In an industry obsessed with the next new thing, it’s easy to forget the foundation that brought us here. But progress isn’t built on novelty alone—it’s built on the wisdom of those who came before us. “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants” is an invitation to step back from the fast-paced world of tech innovation and reflect on the people, ideas, and moments that shaped us.

In this talk, Michael Carducci—technologist, speaker, and magician—will share personal stories about the giants whose insights have influenced him, some well-known and others you may not have encountered yet. These stories carry powerful lessons, both magical and technical, and serve as reminders that the smallest contributions can create lasting impacts.

You’ll be invited to reconnect with the timeless wisdom that we often overlook in our rush to keep up with the latest trends. Through a blend of engineering insights, historical perspectives, and magical moments, Michael will encourage you to reflect on your own giants—those who’ve inspired you—and how you, too, can become a force for improvement in the industry.

This talk is an opportunity to pause, look back, and appreciate the foundation we’ve been gifted, all while exploring how it can guide us toward a richer, more grounded future. Because the path forward isn’t just about where we’re going—it’s about the giants who’ve made it possible for us to stand tall.