methodatlas
Domain Modeling

Domain Context Map

Turns domain knowledge, language, and system boundaries into a tangible result by collecting domains or contexts, marking boundaries and owners, and deriving next modeling questions.

Core question
Which Bounded Contexts and which relationships between them shape today's domain landscape, and where are the biggest friction points?
MediumWorkshop1-3 h
Open runsheetPlan sessionStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify domain knowledge, language, and system boundaries concretely. It translates expertise into events, terms, rules, or boundaries. The result is captured as a Domain Context Map, Boundary Notes, and Ownership Map.

How it works

The team follows the steps: collect domains or contexts, mark boundaries and owners, draw relationships, label dependencies and risks, and derive next modeling questions. Each step is captured visibly. At the end, a Domain Context Map, Boundary Notes, and Ownership Map are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

Domain Context Map · Bounded ContextsFachliche Contexts, Grenzen, Ownership und Abhängigkeiten als strategische Domänenlandschaft sichtbar machen
Domain Context MapDas Visual zeigt eine fachliche Domänenlandschaft mit Core, Supporting, Generic und Platform Context, Ownership und Beziehungshinweisen.Domänenlandschaft, Grenzen und Ownership klärenDie Karte zeigt, welche fachlichen Contexts zusammenwirken und wo Modellgrenzen bewusst entschieden werden müssen.fachliche LandschaftupstreamSaaSIntegrationshared capabilityBoundary QuestionCore DomainDifferenzierende WertschöpfungTeam CoreSupporting Domainfachlich wichtig, aber nichteinzigartigTeam OpsGeneric DomainStandardlösung oder SaaSVendorPlatform Contextgemeinsame technische FähigkeitenPlatformGrenzenWo endet Sprache undModell?OwnershipWer entscheidet amModell?RisikenWelche Kopplung istkritisch?

Flow

  1. 1Collect domains or contexts
  2. 2Mark boundaries and owners
  3. 3Draw relationships
  4. 4Label dependencies and risks
  5. 5Derive next modeling questions

The runsheet guides execution with 4 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • DDD strategy
  • Architecture discovery
  • Platform boundaries

Not good for

  • Story-level refinement
  • UI flow design

Deep dive

In detail

Domain Context Map follows a clear working logic: collect domains or contexts, mark boundaries and owners, draw relationships, label dependencies and risks, and derive next modeling questions. This turns the method into a visible thinking process rather than only a conversation. The participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options toward a shared structure. As a result, a Domain Context Map, Boundary Notes, and Ownership Map support decisions, learning, or further planning.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 1-3 h with 3-10 people and use the format in a facilitated workshop. The facilitation needs visible structure and preparation; short timeboxes, visible intermediate results, and a parking lot for open questions help.

Output artifacts
Domain Context MapBoundary NotesOwnership Map
Tags
DDDcontextboundaries

Sources

GitHub - ddd-crew/context-mapping · GitHubgithub.com
Artifact templates
Domain Context Map Working TemplateCompact working template for Domain Context Map with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.
canvas

domain-context-map-working-template.md

Compact working template for Domain Context Map with context, input, output artifacts, and next step.

Domain Context Map Canvas

Context

What is this method used for?

Core question

Which question should be answered at the end?

Input

Which data, observations, or materials are available?

Working area

  • Area 1:
  • Area 2:
  • Area 3:
  • Relationships / patterns:

Output artifacts

  • Domain Context Map:
  • Boundary Notes:
  • Ownership Map:

Open questions

  • ...

Next step

Owner, date, success signal.

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

Context Map

Statt Domain Context Map, wenn du Kontexte, Abhängigkeiten und Integrationsbeziehungen als Systemkarte abbilden willst.

Similar methods

All methods
Domain Modeling
Bounded Context Canvas

Turns domain knowledge, language, and system boundaries into a tangible result by naming the context, formulating its purpose, and noting ownership and risks.

Domain Modeling
Context Map

Turns domain knowledge, language, and system boundaries into a tangible result by listing contexts, drawing relationships, and clarifying dependencies and conflicts.

Statt Domain Context Map, wenn du Kontexte, Abhängigkeiten und Integrationsbeziehungen als Systemkarte abbilden willst.

Domain Modeling
EventStorming

Turns domain knowledge, language, and system boundaries into a tangible result by selecting a business flow, collecting domain events chronologically, and deriving models and follow-up questions.

Knowledge Modeling
Event Modeling

Turns terms, relationships, and rules into a tangible result by selecting a scenario, sketching events, and deriving implementation slices.

Knowledge Modeling
Domain Storytelling

Turns terms, relationships, and rules into a tangible result by choosing a concrete story, identifying actors and work objects, and extracting language and rules.

Knowledge Modeling
Concept Mapping

Clarifies concepts, relationships, and rules by framing the focus question, gathering concepts, and checking gaps and contradictions.