Agenda

Take a deep dive into optimizing an ExpressionEngine site using various caching methods. Website performance is crucial for user experience, search engine rankings, and overall operational efficiency, and caching is a key technique to ensure your sites respond as quickly as possible. We will start by exploring the fundamentals of caching, identifying where in your technology stack caching might be best applied, and learning best practices for EE specifically. We will discuss EE’s built-in tools as well as third-party tools and services. Our discussion will cover best practices and common pitfalls, and will provide actionable solutions. We’ll then focus more closely on BoldMinded’s Speedy add-on, unpacking its features and exploring both basic and advanced caching techniques through real-world examples. Additionally, we’ll share some of the advanced techniques used by Hop Studios for managing large datasets and complex queries, ensuring sites remain fast and responsive even under heavy load from visitors and usage from content editors.

Atomic Design is a methodology that structures web design into a hierarchy of components: atoms, molecules, organisms, templates, and pages. Atoms are the most basic elements, like buttons or input fields, which combine to form molecules and organisms—more complex UI components. This structured approach ensures that every part of the interface is consistent and reusable. In ExpressionEngine, applying Atomic Design principles alone isn't enough to maintain design integrity. Twig's templating system supports Atomic Design by allowing for the creation of structured, reusable templates. When paired with Tailwind CSS, which offers utility-first styles, these tools enforce design standards across the site without relying on custom CSS. This synergy ensures that the original design is preserved, consistency is maintained, and the number of decisions developers need to make is significantly reduced, leading to a more efficient and cohesive development process.

This presentation covers key concepts of labor efficiency and how to optimize workforce performance. It begins with an explanation of what labor efficiency is and how to calculate it. The discussion then moves into segmenting labor into categories to identify areas for improvement. Attendees will learn how to calculate, set targets, and achieve the best return on both direct labor teams and management/administrative teams. Finally, the presentation will outline the best strategies for building a high-performing "A-player" team, essential for maximizing efficiency and productivity.