The course Start from an ambiguous problem, make the requirements explicit, and let evidence and constraints shape the design. Each module leaves you with an artifact you can use at work and discuss in an interview. AI design considerations appear where they change the architecture; no API key is required.

Start here

Module 1 · Week 1 · Chapter 1Requirements and constraints
Turn an open-ended event-booking prompt into a one-page scope brief, and practice the first five minutes of an interview.
~45 min
Module 1 · Week 1 · Chapter 2Workload estimation
Translate the scope into average and peak demand, storage growth, and bandwidth estimates.
~55 min

12-week path

Module 1 · Week 1Frame the problem
Requirements and estimation — available above.
Module 2 · Weeks 2–3Shape the system
APIs, traffic, storage, caching, and search.
Module 3 · Weeks 4–5Distribute the data
Replication, consistency, coordination, and multi-region design.
Module 4 · Week 6Work asynchronously
Messaging, streaming, workflows, and backpressure.
Module 5 · Weeks 7–8Operate safely
SLOs, resilience, security, privacy, tenancy, and observability.
Module 6 · Week 9Optimize deliberately
Performance, capacity, cost, and AI inference trade-offs.
Module 7 · Weeks 10–11Lead architecture change
Architecture styles, migrations, decision records, and cross-team reviews.
Module 8 · Week 12Prove the skill
A fictional Australian virtual-care capstone and full timed design defense.

References and progress

Glossary · Workload estimation notes · Artifact tracker

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