Training I offer the following 1-day workshops related to my work
- Sustainable Systems Architecture: Faster, Cheaper, Greener Software
- An Engineer's Writing Toolkit: Documentation, Blogs, and Diagrams That Work
- Debugging Your Presentations: A Hands-On Workshop for Technical Speakers
My workshops are designed to be run privately for your team/organisation at your own offices, but can be adapted to run as public (open enrolment) workshops via training providers or conferences.
- Workshops are in-person only (no remote workshops or remote attendance).
- Pricing is a flat fee plus my travel and accommodation costs.
- The class size limit is 15 people.
- A typical workshop is 9am-5pm, but the timings are flexible.
- Workshops 2 and 3 can be combined as a 2-day program.
Prerequisites
- A room layout that enables groups of 2-4 people to work together for the hands-on exercises.
- Some whiteboards/flip chart paper and marker pens for the hands-on exercises.
- A projector/large TV I can connect my laptop to.
- Laptops for the participants.
Bio
Charles Humble is a freelance consultant, author and podcaster, and an internationally recognised conference speaker with more than three decades of IT experience. A former software engineer, architect and CTO, he has worked as a senior leader and executive of both technology and content groups.
Charles was InfoQ's editor-in-chief from 2014 to 2020, and chief editor for Container Solutions from 2020 to 2023.
He is the author of Kubernetes at the Edge and The Developer's Guide to Cloud Infrastructure, Efficiency, and Sustainability for The New Stack, and Professional Skills for Software Engineers for O'Reilly. He writes regularly for The New Stack and other publications, and hosts a series of podcasts for GOTO on Engineering Leadership. Charles is a highly experienced content strategist, and he has spoken at multiple international conferences including GOTO (keynote), Devoxx, QCon, Øredev and YOW! He is also a keyboard player and half of the ambient techno band, Twofish .
Charles's primary areas of interest are how we build software better, including sustainability and ethics; cloud computing; remote working; diversity and inclusion; and inspiring the next generation of developers.
Short version : Charles Humble is a freelance consultant, author and podcaster, and an internationally recognised conference speaker with more than three decades of IT experience. His primary areas of interest are how we build software better, including sustainability and ethics; cloud computing; remote working; diversity and inclusion; and inspiring the next generation of developers.
One liner: Charles Humble is a freelance consultant, author, podcaster and speaker, who is interested in how we build software better, including sustainability and ethics, and inspiring the next generation of developers.
Abstracts
Sustainable Systems Architecture: Faster, Cheaper, Greener Software
Duration
Full-day workshop (7-8 hours)
Audience
Software engineers, system architects, DevOps/SREs, and technical leaders responsible for designing, running, or evolving software systems whether on-prem or in the cloud.
Abstract
The tech industry now consumes an estimated 2–3% of global electricity, and AI adoption is rapidly accelerating that number. Yet many engineers are unsure where sustainability fits into their day-to-day decisions, or assume the solution lies in esoteric programming languages or full rewrites.
In reality, the biggest sustainability gains come from architecture and operations, not code micro-optimisations.
This full-day workshop provides a practical, operations-first framework for designing and running sustainable software systems. Participants will learn how reducing carbon emissions often results in a "triple win": lower costs, better security, and simpler, faster systems—challenging the traditional "Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick Two" trade-off.
Through case studies, interactive exercises, and real-world examples, attendees will learn how to assess their organisation's current maturity, identify high-impact improvements, and make a credible business case for change. Topics range from zombie servers and rightsizing to carbon-aware computing, cloud architecture choices, and the growing sustainability challenges of AI.
Participants will leave with concrete techniques they can apply immediately, plus a clear action plan for improving the sustainability of their systems, without waiting for perfect data or executive mandates.
What You'll Learn
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Understand where software systems really consume energy and carbon
- Apply an operations-first approach to sustainability
- Identify quick wins that reduce emissions and costs
- Measure impact using practical proxies and available tools
- Design cloud architectures with sustainability in mind
- Understand the unique sustainability challenges posed by AI workloads
- Build a compelling business case aligned with cost, security, and risk
- Create an actionable sustainability roadmap for their team or organisation
Workshop Format
Morning Session (≈ 3.5 hours)
- The carbon landscape: scopes, energy proportionality, and why utilisation matters
- Why operations dominate sustainability outcomes
- Measurement challenges and practical metrics
- Interactive exercise: assessing your organisation using the Green Software Maturity Matrix
Afternoon Session (≈ 3.5 hours)
- Sustainable cloud architecture patterns and trade-offs
- Demand shifting, carbon-aware computing, and graceful degradation
- AI sustainability: training vs. inference, and when not to use AI
- Making the business case: cost, security, compliance, and talent
- Interactive exercise: drafting a sustainability action plan
The workshop combines short talks, discussion, case studies, and hands-on exercises.
Prerequisites
No specific programming language knowledge required. Attendees should have:
- At least a basic understanding of cloud computing and software deployment
- Familiarity with operating production systems
Who Should Attend
- Developers responsible for system design or performance
- Platform, infrastructure, and SRE engineers
- Architects modernising legacy systems
- Tech leads and CTOs balancing cost, performance, and risk
Key Takeaways
Participants will leave with:
- A clear understanding of IT's environmental impact and their influence on it
- Practical strategies that reduce carbon emissions without sacrificing performance
- Knowledge of available measurement tools and realistic metrics
- A draft sustainability action plan tailored to their organisation
- Resources for continued learning and implementation
An Engineer's Writing Toolkit: Documentation, Blogs, and Diagrams That Actually Work
Duration
Full-day workshop (7-8 hours)
Audience
Software engineers at any level who write documentation, design docs, or technical blog posts as part of their work. Particularly relevant for engineers in remote or distributed teams, tech leads, and staff engineers.
Abstract
Writing is a core engineering skill, but most engineers were never taught how to do it well.
We see the results of this everywhere. It results in poor documentation, unclear design docs, and confusing diagrams creating the same problems as buggy code: wasted time, misunderstandings, and fragile systems. Yet many engineers believe writing is a "soft skill" or an innate talent rather than a craft that can be learned and improved.
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn practical, proven techniques for creating clear technical documentation, engaging technical blog posts, and effective diagrams. We'll treat writing as an engineering discipline: audience-driven, iterative, and maintainable.
Through real-world examples and guided exercises, attendees will learn how to structure documents, choose the right level of abstraction, revise for clarity, and use diagrams to reduce ambiguity. The afternoon is dedicated to applied practice, where participants write or improve a piece of documentation, a blog post, or a technical diagram with feedback and coaching.
Participants will leave with concrete techniques they can immediately apply to their day-to-day work, along with a framework for continuing to improve their technical writing long after the workshop ends.
Along the way we'll consider places where using generative AI may be helpful, and where it is not.
What You'll Learn
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Treat writing as a learnable engineering skill rather than a talent
- Identify their audience and tailor technical content appropriately
- Write clear, concise documentation that reduces support and onboarding costs
- Structure technical blog posts that teach, explain, and build credibility
- Use diagrams to communicate architecture and design decisions effectively
- Apply revision and maintenance practices to keep documentation accurate over time
Workshop Format
The workshop combines short talks, discussion, and hands-on exercises.
Morning:
- Writing as an engineering craft
- Audience-first communication
- Core writing principles for engineers
- Documentation as a product
- Strategic technical blogging
- Visual communication and diagramming
Afternoon:
Participants choose a practical track and work on:
- A piece of technical documentation
- A technical blog post
Attendees can start from scratch or work from provided prompts and materials. The session includes guided revision, optional peer feedback, and facilitator coaching.
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Laptop with a modern browser
- Headphones that can be used with the laptop
- Internet access
- Familiarity with software development concepts
No prior writing, blogging, or diagramming experience is required.
Who Should Attend
- Software engineers who want to write clearer documentation
- Engineers who struggle with design docs or written communication
- Developers interested in blogging or knowledge sharing
- Tech leads and staff engineers responsible for technical communication
Debugging Your Presentations: A Hands-On Workshop for Technical Speakers
Duration
Full-day workshop (6–7 hours)
Audience
Software engineers, technical leads, and developers at any level who need to give presentations, conference talks, or internal demos. Particularly relevant for engineers who want to communicate complex ideas clearly and confidently to peers, stakeholders, or broader audiences.
Abstract
Giving a technical presentation is a skill few engineers are formally taught, yet nearly all of us will present ideas, demos, or results at some point in our careers. Poorly structured talks, unclear slides, or nervous delivery can undermine even the most important work.
This full-day workshop provides practical, hands-on guidance for crafting and delivering technical presentations that are clear, engaging, and memorable. Participants will learn how to research their audience, structure talks using narrative techniques, design slides that clarify rather than
distract, and present with confidence.
Through case studies, interactive exercises, and guided practice, attendees will work on their own presentations in a safe, supportive environment. By the end of the workshop, participants will have actionable techniques they can apply immediately, plus a clear plan for continued improvement.
What You'll Learn
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Tailor presentations to different audiences, from engineers to executives
- Structure technical talks using story-driven, memorable frameworks
- Design slides that support their message without overwhelming it
- Deliver talks with confidence, presence, and authentic enthusiasm
- Handle logistics, live demos, and Q&A sessions effectively
- Build a personal roadmap for growing as a technical speaker
Workshop Format
Morning Session (≈ 3.5 hours)
- Preparing your presentation: audience research, goal setting, and topic selection
- Narrative structure for technical talks: three-act structure, story arcs, and hooks
- Slide design principles: clarity, minimalism, and purposeful visuals
- Interactive exercise: drafting the outline for your own presentation
Afternoon Session (≈ 3.5 hours)
- Delivery techniques: voice, body language, and stage presence
- Rehearsal strategies: timing, practice, and dealing with nerves
- Technical logistics: equipment, demos, and handling Q&A
- Hands-on workshop: rehearsing and refining your talk, with facilitator feedback
The workshop combines short talks, discussion, case studies, and hands-on exercises, ensuring every participant practices real-world skills.
Prerequisites
- Laptop for slide creation and presentation practice
- An idea for a new talk you want to create
- Basic familiarity with software engineering concepts
No prior public speaking experience is required.
Who Should Attend
- Software engineers who give, or want to be able to give, internal or external presentations
- Developers preparing for conference talks, demos, or team briefings
- Tech leads or staff engineers seeking to communicate complex ideas effectively
Key Takeaways
Participants will leave with:
- Practical techniques for crafting and delivering technical presentations
- A structured outline and draft slides for their own talk
- Rehearsal and delivery strategies to present with confidence
- Guidance for growing as a technical speaker over time
