Software Talks #3

Software Talks #3!
Join us for the third edition of Software Talks, a tech meetup from St. Gallen! Connect with fellow enthusiasts, exchange ideas, and explore the latest developments in technology.

We’ll dive into topics like software development, architecture, and frontend/backend technologies, with plenty of time for Q&A and casual discussions.

This edition will feature inspiring guest speakers Kenny Baas-Schwegler and Dominick Makome!

1️⃣ Technical Leadership for Architectural Decision Making - Kenny Baas-Schwegler

"Are you tired of endless architectural debates that create friction instead of progress? Do you struggle to get your team on board with a new design, only to face pushback when it's time to build? These challenges can stall even the best teams. This talk is about a different approach: moving from someone making architectural decisions for teams to making them with teams. Whether you're a seasoned tech lead or a developer just starting, everyone can be a technical leader. This shift can unlock a new level of collaboration. By focusing on facilitation, we can get past technical arguments and create a process where every voice is heard, hidden assumptions are revealed, and collective knowledge is used to make more sustainable architectural choices.

I will share the definition of architectural decisions from my co-authored book Collaborative Software Design and discuss how social dynamics impact them. Next, I will share my experience of integrating Collaborative Software Design with the architectural advice process, as outlined in Andrew Harmel-law's book, Facilitating Software Design. The combination of the two enables an environment where concerns are voiced constructively and turned into valuable input for the decision. Combining the two doesn't just lead to better technical outcomes—it also creates a stronger sense of shared ownership and commitment. Instead of fighting resistance, you'll be facilitating true team ownership of your architecture."

Kenny is an independent software consultant and trainer who specialises in technical leadership, software architecture, and sociotechnical system design. He works with organisations and teams to design and build sustainable and resilient software architecture.

2️⃣ Hexagonal Architecture: Keeping Your Code Clean, Adaptable, and Mud-Free - Dominick Makome
Software systems often become increasingly difficult to maintain as they grow, with complexity creeping in over time. To address this, various architectural approaches have been developed to better organize code and manage dependencies. One of the most well-known is the layered architecture, such as the MVC (Model–View–Controller) pattern.

We’ll explore the Hexagonal Architecture, also known as the Ports and Adapters pattern. This design emphasizes a clear separation between the core business logic and the external systems it interacts with, making software more maintainable, adaptable, and testable. By the end of this talk, you’ll have the understanding and tools needed to structure your applications more effectively; and avoid turning them into a big ball of mud.

Dominick is a software engineer with a passion for designing and building scalable, maintainable systems. With more than 10 years of experience working on complex web applications and integrating modern architectures, he enjoys turning challenging problems into elegant solutions. Outside of work, he loves traveling, driving, and exploring new ideas that combine technology and creativity.

Schedule
17:45 - doors open
18:15 - 1. talk
19:15 - 2. talk

🍕 Snacks and drinks included! Bring your friends, your questions, and your enthusiasm. We can’t wait to see you there!

If you want to present a topic at the next meetup, feel free to catch the organizers during the event or send them a message on Meetup or LinkedIn.

Software Talks is hosted by Frontify. Talks are held in English.