Beyond Kubernetes: 5 Traits Of A Great Architect

Diana Montalion delves into the core of architecture beyond Kubernetes, highlighting systems thinking and communication as vital traits of a successful architect.

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Essential Non-linear Skills and Practices for Software Professionals

Discover how systems thinking can revolutionize your career by improving decision-making and leadership in complex environments. In this workshop, you'll gain hands-on experience in creating conceptual models, avoiding common pitfalls, and crafting recommendations amidst uncertainty. Learn to navigate software and information systems using systemic models and nonlinear approaches to foster impactful organizational change.

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Architecture is not Kubernetes

"Architecture transcends specific tools like Kubernetes; it's about designing the interplay between system components and evolving these designs with changing circumstances. It involves sociotechnical skills, blending technology with social interaction, and shaping mental models. My talk will discuss the true nature of architecture and reveal five key qualities that distinguish a great architect.”

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Architecture isn't Kubernetes

In a technology culture where “Architect” sparks debate, this talk challenges the notion that architecture is about mastering tools like Kubernetes. Instead, it emphasizes architecture as the art of designing and evolving relationships between system components, a sociotechnical skill requiring good systems thinking. The speaker will identify five key qualities that define a great architect beyond any specific toolset.

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Architecture is Designing Knowledge Flow

Explore how transitioning from valuing knowledge stock to fostering knowledge flow can revolutionize the tech industry, by understanding the nuances between information, knowledge, wisdom, and data, redefining management through systems leadership, and developing knowledge systems to adapt to the increasing complexity in technology.

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Systems Architecture - Live Experience!

Step into the role of an architect at MAGO, the world's leading magazine and digital producer, to tackle an impending crisis with your team. Engage in a collaborative, egalitarian approach to architecture, enhancing fundamental software systems-thinking skills. As you build recommendations, exchange advice, and adapt to systemic challenges, you'll refine real-world capabilities in communication, decision-making, and improvisational systems design. This dynamic workshop promises not only skill development but also an enjoyable experience in creating impactful solutions amidst complexity.

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Learning Systems Thinking

In this systems thinking workshop, software professionals will learn to navigate the increasing complexity of modern systems through hands-on exercises and real-world scenarios. Participants will develop skills in critical self-reflection, decision-making, and crafting recommendations amidst uncertainty, using tools like the Iceberg Model. The workshop is aimed at those working in complex, cross-functional environments and focuses on overcoming linear thinking, fostering quality architectural thinking, and providing modern leadership in software as information systems. Testimonials praise the workshop's structure, relevance, and the instructor's engaging delivery.

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Architecture Isn't Kubernetes - NDC London 2025

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Architecture isn't Kubernetes

In the systems age, being an architect transcends knowledge of tools like Kubernetes; it's about designing and adapting the interplay between system components, requiring a sociotechnical skillset that merges social and technological expertise. This talk will explore five key qualities that define a great architect, beyond any specific tool proficiency.

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Mindshifts: Thriving in the Systems Age

In a world of rapid, nonlinear change and complex digital ecosystems, it's crucial to reexamine the outdated, mechanistic approaches to software development and embrace four transformative mindshifts to flourish in the systems age.

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Panel: Bridging the Gap

Join Frank Buschmann and experts Erik Dörnenburg, Gregor Hohpe, Diana Montalion, and Xin Yao as they explore and discuss strategies to bridge the divide in software products and teams caused by various market, technical, social, and economic factors.

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Writing as Thinking: Pecha Kucha

Pecha Kucha offers 10 rapid-fire talks on topics like AI and Agile, with each speaker using 20 slides for a 6-minute, 40-second impactful presentation.

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The Friction Fix: Building Collaborative Relationships Between Teams

Diana Montalion and Cat Morris will explore the root causes of friction between product and technology teams, providing practical strategies based on their 30+ years of experience to foster effective collaboration and informed decision-making for impactful outcomes.

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Architecture is Designing Knowledge Flow

The tech industry must pivot from valuing individual knowledge to promoting knowledge exchange and system development for improved decision-making in a dynamic environment.

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Qualities of a Well-Functioning System

Diana emphasizes the intricacies and adaptive qualities such as resilience and self-organization within hierarchical structures of software systems.

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Architecture is Designing Knowledge Flow

The tech industry needs to shift from focusing on individual knowledge stock to fostering knowledge flow to make better decisions amidst change. This involves understanding the differences between data, information, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, and recognizing the importance of developing knowledge systems as a core architectural practice.

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Architecture is Designing Knowledge Flow

Explore how the tech industry's emphasis on knowledge stock limits potential and why fostering knowledge flow is crucial for decision-making and adapting to change, including the distinction between data types, the shift from management to systems leadership, and the development of knowledge systems as a core practice.

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Panel about Systems Thinking, Complexity Thinking

Nigel Thurlow hosts a debate on systems and complexity thinking with experts Dave Snowden and Diana Montalion, discussing the conflation of terminology, the difference between systems thinking and complex systems, and whether their views align or diverge on these nuanced topics.

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Learning Systems Thinking

Join Diana Montalion's 3-hour workshop to learn systems thinking for software professionals, where you'll understand how to view software systems holistically, recognize and correct common mistakes, and develop strategies to improve systems-thinking skills. This course is ideal for technologists who seek to integrate diverse expertise, work with complex systems, and become leaders who can foster collaborative, insightful environments with minimal oversight.

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Architecture as a Collective Practice: A Role-Playing Simulation

You’ve just joined Mago — and the system is on fire. In this first-of-its-kind role-playing simulation, you'll navigate organizational chaos, consult fictional execs, and deliver an architectural recommendation under pressure. Practice systemic reasoning, evolve models together, and experience architecture as a collective, socio-technical practice. And have wicked fun doing it.

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Architecting Emergent Meaning: Designing Temporal Intelligence

For decades we’ve built software and organizations around plans and repositories — but knowledge isn’t static. In this keynote, Diana Montalion introduces Emergent Meaning Architecture (EMA): a new paradigm for designing systems that think with us. EMA turns architecture from rigid pipelines into living, relational systems where meaning emerges, adapts, and flows.

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