architecture-decision

You document architecture decisions using an Architectural Decision Record (ADR) that captures context, options, trade-offs, and reasoning. This structured record ensures future engineers understand why specific system design choices were made.

The best way to record system design trade-offs is using a meeting-to-document ADR workflow that prompts for problem framing, constraints, options considered, and the final decision. This captures what was actually discussed during planning.

You create an architecture decision record by guiding the documentation of context, options with pros and cons, the selected decision with reasoning, and implementation notes. This produces a standardized ADR for your repository.

Store architectural decision records under the 06-Resources/Architecture_Decisions/ directory in your repository. This organization keeps historical decisions discoverable, searchable, and available for future engineering reference.

Yes, you can use an ADR workflow to capture constraints and implementation directions during team debates. It creates a durable record of the chosen direction so onboarding and later refactors do not repeat past debates.

You need an architectural decision record when architecture decisions are made in meetings and risk being lost. ADRs preserve the rationale, trade-offs, and constraints behind system design choices that regular documentation typically omits.