Execution plans are the single most powerful tool for diagnosing and fixing slow queries in SQL Server. But they can be overwhelming, to beginners as well to seasoned professionals.

During this full-day precon, I adapt the content on the fly to match the knowledge level and needs of the attendees. We always start with a solid foundation: what execution plans are, how to read them, and common mistakes to avoid. From there, we dive deeper (as far as the group can handle) into the inner workings of operators (joins, scans/seeks, sorts, spools, parallelism, and many more), and how they interact in complex plans. Whether you’re new to execution plans and want to learn how to read them confidently, or you’re already using them regularly but want to uncover hidden details and take your query tuning to the next level, this session flexes to deliver maximum value for everyone in the room.

Expect lots of information and demos, and time for your specific questions. Bring your own slow queries if you want targeted advice during the day!

This is a full day precon or training day session. During the session, I adapt the content to the level of the audience, with lots of room for questions.