# Types of Subdomains > [!Note] > A classification into **Core**, **Supporting**, and **Generic Subdomains** drives investment and team structure according to each area’s strategic value and expertise requirements. ### Core Domain The **Core Domain** represents the organization’s strategic heart, delivering its primary competitive advantage. It demands the **highest investment**, staffed by the **best domain experts**, who refine the **ubiquitous language** and shape the business’s defining capabilities. ### Supporting Subdomain In contrast, a **Supporting Subdomain** provides essential functionalities that enable the Core Domain to operate smoothly; it requires a **moderate investment** and **specialized teams** but can often be **outsourced** without compromising the core strategy. ### Generic Subdomain Finally, a **Generic Subdomain** covers “off-the-shelf” capabilities common across industries; it is best served by **standard solutions** or **SaaS**, managed by **generalist teams**, and kept clearly separate to **avoid confusion** with the core business logic. --- ## Summary Table |Subdomain Type|Role|Resources & Team| |---|---|---| |**Core Domain**|Drives strategic advantage and defines the business’s core capabilities|Maximum investment; elite domain experts; develops ubiquitous language| |**Supporting Subdomain**|Provides specialized support functionalities for the core|Moderate investment; specialized (non-elite) teams; can be externalized| |**Generic Subdomain**|Offers reusable, off-the-shelf capabilities|Standard solutions or SaaS; generalist teams; kept distinct from core| --- ## References - Vernon, V. (2016). _Domain-driven design distilled_. Addison-Wesley Professional. - Vernon, V. (2013). _Implementing domain-driven design_. Addison-Wesley Professional. - Khononov, V. (2021). _Learning domain-driven design: Aligning software architecture and business strategy_. O’Reilly Media. - Alammar, J., & Grootendorst, M. (2024). _Hands-on large language models: Language understanding and generation_. O’Reilly Media. - Evans, E. (2003). _Domain-driven design: Tackling complexity in the heart of software_. Addison-Wesley Professional. - Millett, S., & Tune, N. (2015). _Patterns, principles, and practices of domain-driven design._ Wrox.