22-25 April 2026 
When Good Queries Go Bad: Fixing Performance with Query Store
Proposed session for SQLBits 2026TL; DR
This session shows how Query Store helps developers and DBAs take the guesswork out of query performance by tracking query and execution plan history over time. You’ll learn how to identify performance regressions, understand plan changes, and quickly stabilize SQL Server and Azure SQL Database workloads using practical techniques and real-world demos.
Session Details
Have you ever had a query that performed well one day and suddenly slowed down the next, with no obvious reason? When queries generate multiple execution plans, relying only on the plan cache makes it difficult to understand what changed, when it changed, or which plan is truly optimal. Performance troubleshooting quickly turns into guesswork.
Query Store removes that uncertainty by capturing a history of queries and execution plans over time. It allows you to identify performance regressions, understand plan changes, and take targeted action to stabilize performance.
This session is designed for developers, DBAs, and anyone who works with SQL Server or Azure SQL Database and wants better insight into query performance. Whether you are new to Query Store or looking to use it more effectively, this session will help you gain confidence in using it.
What will be covered:
1. Query Store fundamentals and key benefits
2. Tracking query and execution plan history
3. Identifying and resolving performance regressions
4. Monitoring performance with built-in reports
5. Forcing and unforcing execution plans
6. Automatic plan correction and best practices
Live demos will show how Query Store helps move from performance guesswork to confidence.
Query Store removes that uncertainty by capturing a history of queries and execution plans over time. It allows you to identify performance regressions, understand plan changes, and take targeted action to stabilize performance.
This session is designed for developers, DBAs, and anyone who works with SQL Server or Azure SQL Database and wants better insight into query performance. Whether you are new to Query Store or looking to use it more effectively, this session will help you gain confidence in using it.
What will be covered:
1. Query Store fundamentals and key benefits
2. Tracking query and execution plan history
3. Identifying and resolving performance regressions
4. Monitoring performance with built-in reports
5. Forcing and unforcing execution plans
6. Automatic plan correction and best practices
Live demos will show how Query Store helps move from performance guesswork to confidence.
3 things you'll get out of this session
1. Understand how Query Store captures query and execution plan history to identify performance regressions
2. Learn how to analyze, force, and manage execution plans to stabilize query performance
3. Gain practical experience using Query Store features to troubleshoot and optimize SQL Server workloads
Speakers
Deepthi Goguri's other proposed sessions for 2026
EmpowerHER Tech: How Allies Drive Real Change - 2026
From Confusion to Clarity: Understanding Fabric Capacity Like a Pro - 2026
From Risk to Resilience: Building a Secure Azure SQL Environment - 2026
The First Step: Empowering New Tech Speakers - 2026
Deepthi Goguri's previous sessions
A to Z Azure SQL Security Concepts
Planning to move your databases to the cloud but seriously doubt if your data is 100% secure? No matter if you are on-prem or in the cloud, making sure your data is protected in every angle possible is the most crucial and important step in building a secure data tier of an application. Let's dedicate this session to knowing the different multi-layer defense-in-depth security techniques and strategies available to armor your Azure SQL database. let's dive deep into each of these layers starting with the network security, Azure role-based access control (RBAC), data security at the row level, auditing, advanced threat protection, different layers of encryption, monitoring, and more. By the end of this session, you will have the knowledge to make the right security decisions for your environments and implement these techniques in securing your data.
Can an Introvert become an International Speaker? If so, How?
Are you a data professional and would like to share your learnings with others but are scared to speak in public? Are you an Introvert and are comfortable in your own space but also wanted to make an impact in this world? Is something inside you pulling you back from taking the action on your dream?
Meet the two data platform speakers who started their speaking journey from the same exact situation but now sharing their learnings across the world helping other data professionals in their journey.
How did they actually begin, what challenges did they go through and who helped them along the way?
As they speak about their incredible journey, they will share some key details in becoming a speaker, the advantages, steps to improve data skills and develop careers along the way so the audience can carry the knowledge as they take their first steps in becoming one.
Different dimensions of monitoring and tuning performance for Azure SQL
Azure SQL performance capabilities, how to configure and maintain your Azure SQL for higher performance. We will explore various monitoring tools and pick few scenarios for deeper troubleshooting. In this demo centric session, we will tune our database and find an optimal ground to manage cost. We will generate Power BI powered database score card for trend analysis.
Troubleshoot and Triage Like a Pro
Let us walk you through our steps to triage and troubleshoot issues as they come in to make sure things get fixed in the right order at the right time and we all stay sane.