Introduction to the EventStorming Glossary & Cheat Sheet Project
EventStorming is a creative and collaborative workshop method that helps people from various disciplines come together to explore and solve complex problems. Originally developed to model domain-driven design, it has since expanded to serve broader purposes, including understanding business processes and planning long-term strategies. The EventStorming Glossary & Cheat Sheet project offers a comprehensive guide to its core concepts, assisting participants in facilitating effective EventStorming sessions.
Core Concepts of EventStorming
Domain Event
The central concept in EventStorming, Domain Events are specific occurrences significant to domain experts. These events are typically described in the past tense and are visually represented with orange-colored notes.
HotSpot
HotSpots serve to identify and capture conflicts or points of interest within a discussion, such as inconsistencies or unanswered questions. These are indicated with neon pink notes for easy identification.
Timeline
This concept involves mapping out events along a continuous timeline on a large paper roll, enabling participants to visualize the sequence and relationships of Domain Events.
Chaotic Exploration
At the start of a workshop, participants individually contribute Domain Events they recognize, allowing for diverse perspectives to shape the exploration phase.
Enforce the Timeline
Following chaotic exploration, this phase focuses on organizing events into a coherent sequence, eliminating duplicates, and establishing a consistent timeline.
Big Picture EventStorming
The Big Picture EventStorming approach aims to evaluate the health of a business or the feasibility of new business models. It fosters a unified understanding of the company’s domain, aiding in aligning teams and software systems with business goals.
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Opportunity
Opportunities are marked with green notes to highlight positive prospects rather than just focusing on negative hotspots. -
Actor/Agent
These are the people or teams involved in Domain Events, denoted with yellow notes to specify their role within the system. -
System
Systems represent the IT solutions within the domain, distinguished with wide pink notes. It can range from simple tools like spreadsheets to complex software. -
Value
Value is marked with red and green notes to indicate positive and negative contributions within the domain's flow. -
Pivotal Events
These are critical events within a flow, such as major steps in an e-commerce site's operation, recognized for drawing significant interest. -
Swimlanes
Swimlanes divide the workflow horizontally based on departments or actors, improving the visual clarity of processes.
Process Modelling EventStorming
Process Modelling EventStorming assesses current business processes to identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. It creates a shared understanding of the existing process landscape.
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Policy
Using lilac notes, policies dictate the actions following certain events, representing either automatic or manual reactions. -
Command/Action
Blue notes indicate decisions or actions taken by actors, highlighting intent within the process. -
Query Model/Information
Green notes capture information or facts needed for decision-making, ensuring clarity and availability of necessary data.
Software Design EventStorming
Focusing on developing robust event-driven software, this level involves crafting a shared model in collaboration with stakeholders, promoting clear communication and efficient problem-solving.
- Constraint
Large yellow notes show limitations or rules, known during the design phase, impacting the execution of commands or actions.
Workshop Preparations and Process
Effective preparation and facilitation are key to successful EventStorming workshops. This includes inviting knowledgeable participants, setting up the appropriate environment, and guiding the workshop process through structured steps like check-ins, chaotic exploration, timeline enforcement, and check-outs.
Final Thoughts
The EventStorming Glossary & Cheat Sheet is a valuable resource for anyone looking to implement EventStorming in their organization. Through clear definitions and visual tools, it simplifies complex processes, making them accessible for collaboration and innovation. Whether you're assessing business viability, optimizing processes, or designing software, EventStorming offers a practical framework for achieving your goals.