Software → Software Design
Bounded Context
An explicit boundary within which a domain model and its terminology have a precise, internally consistent meaning.
Motivation
A Bounded Context prevents one universal model from accumulating contradictory meanings across a large domain.
Mental model
Inside the boundary, terms and rules are consistent. Across boundaries, teams integrate through explicit contracts, translations, or events.
Practical use
Use bounded contexts to align software modules or services with business capabilities and team ownership.
Common mistakes
- Treating every service as a bounded context.
- Drawing boundaries only around database schemas.
- Sharing one domain model across contexts with different meanings.