Celebrating 100 Sessions of the Codurance Technical Community of Practice

Last month we proudly celebrated the 100th session of the Codurance Technical Community of Practice (CoP). For the past five years, this internal community has been a dedicated space for our engineers, craftspeople, and thought leaders to share knowledge, challenge ideas, and grow together.

This milestone is more than just a number. It reflects our ongoing commitment to the principles of Software Craftsmanship that sit at the heart of Codurance. We believe that mastery of our craft is not achieved in isolation but through continuous learning, collaboration, and a willingness to be challenged. The CoP provides exactly that: a safe and open environment where our people can experiment with new technologies, refine established practices, and debate different approaches without the pressures of day-to-day delivery.

For our people, the CoP is an investment in their careers. It ensures they remain at the cutting edge of modern engineering practices, whether that involves exploring advances in architecture, DevOps, AI, or ways of working. The sessions give everyone the opportunity to develop technical depth, strengthen facilitation and presentation skills, and build a visible voice within our community. This not only supports individual growth but also reinforces our shared culture of curiosity and craftsmanship.

For our clients, the benefits are direct and tangible. What we explore and learn in the CoP translates into better solutions, more resilient architectures, and more sustainable delivery practices. It equips our teams with a broader toolkit, enabling them to bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and proven techniques into client projects. In short, the CoP helps ensure that when our people step into a client engagement, they are not only well prepared technically but also aligned around the values and principles that define Codurance’s approach to quality software delivery.

The 100th session is therefore not just a celebration of what we have done. It is also a reaffirmation of why we do it: to continuously elevate our craft, support the growth of our people, and deliver meaningful, lasting value to our clients.

Along the way we have:

• Explored 134 diverse topics, from software design and testing strategies to cloud-native patterns and AI.
• Provided more than 100 hours of learning to our people.
• Hosted 68 internal speakers, giving colleagues a platform to share their insights and experiences.
• Welcomed 11 external speakers, bringing in fresh perspectives from the wider tech community.
  
  

That is a lot of learning, discussion, and fun. More importantly, it shows the power of a sustained learning culture.

Why Communities of Practice Matter

In the fast-moving world of technology, skills, tools, and practices evolve quickly. While training courses and conferences have their place, nothing beats ongoing, peer-driven learning. That is where Communities of Practice thrive.

A good CoP is more than a meeting. It is a shared commitment to growth and collaboration. It:

• Amplifies expertise: Everyone has something to teach and something to learn.
• Builds culture: Shared practices strengthen team cohesion.
• Encourages curiosity: A safe space for exploring new ideas without the pressure of immediate delivery.
• Drives innovation: Diverse perspectives spark creative solutions.

At Codurance, our Technical CoP has become an anchor for our culture of software craftsmanship. It is a place to continuously sharpen our skills, align on values, and grow together.

Tips for Starting Your Own Community of Practice

If you are thinking of creating a CoP in your organisation, here are a few lessons we have learned:

1. Start small, but start. You do not need a perfect structure. A handful of people who care is enough to kick things off.
2. Be consistent. Regular sessions, even if informal, build trust and rhythm. Our five-year journey started with a simple monthly call.
3. Rotate speakers and topics. Encourage broad participation. Everyone has a story, lesson, or technique worth sharing.
4. Mix internal and external voices. Internal speakers build confidence and recognition, while external ones keep things fresh and broaden horizons.
5. Celebrate milestones. Recognition fuels momentum. Celebrating our 100th session reminds us why we keep going.

Looking Ahead

Reaching 100 sessions is a proud milestone, but it is also just the beginning. The next five years will bring new challenges, new technologies, and new opportunities to learn together.

To everyone who has spoken, participated, or simply listened along the way: thank you. You have made this community what it is. Here is to the next 100 sessions of curiosity, craft, and community.

Closing Thoughts

Do you have a CoP at your workplace? If not, maybe now is the time to start one. You might be surprised by just how much collective wisdom is waiting to be shared.

And if you would like advice on how to embed a culture of continuous learning and improvement in your organisation, our team would be happy to help — get in touch.

“Community is at the heart of software craftsmanship. Codurance was born from it, and we carry that forward by supporting communities within our organisation, with our clients, and across the wider industry. This spirit of collective growth is a key part of what makes us unique.”