architecture

An Architecture Decision Record (ADR) captures context, options, trade-offs, and rationale for design choices. You need ADRs when justifying and tracking architectural decisions across teams for new system design, migrations, or major refactors to ensure traceability and governance.

To document architectural trade-offs, use a structured ADR template to capture requirements, evaluate options, and record consequences. This framework ensures decisions are auditable and repeatable by linking choices to project goals and referencing established architecture patterns.

Consistent architecture governance relies on enforcing ADR templates, referencing established patterns, and applying a storage convention for decision records. This makes architectural decisions searchable and reusable, maintaining historical context and communication across teams over time.

Yes, this ADR framework suits technology migrations and major architectural refactors by providing structured templates to evaluate options and capture rationale. It ensures consistent decision-making and traceability throughout the migration or refactoring process.

Structure an architecture decision record using templates that define context, options, trade-offs, and consequences. Linking these records to project goals and architecture patterns ensures traceability and provides historical context for future teams.

Structured ADR templates are not necessary for minor, reversible implementation details that lack significant trade-offs. Reserve architecture decision records for major design choices, technology migrations, and refactors where capturing rationale and governance provides clear value.