architecture-decision-record

An Architecture Decision Record (ADR) documents significant technical choices like technology adoption, architectural patterns, infrastructure, and API design. You should write an ADR when a decision impacts project structure, ensuring clarity, traceability, and shared understanding of architectural choices.

To document technical decisions for switching architecture patterns, use an ADR template to record the context, the chosen pattern, alternatives considered, and expected consequences. This structured approach ensures clear traceability and shared understanding of architectural choices within the project.

Manage the lifecycle of an Architecture Decision Record by tracking its status through clear stages: Proposed, Accepted, Deprecated, and Superseded. This lifecycle management ensures technical decisions remain transparent and their relevance is understood as the project evolves.

The best way to evaluate alternatives for technical decisions is using Pros/Cons matrices and weighted criteria. This structured evaluation method helps compare options systematically before finalizing an Architecture Decision Record and documenting the resulting consequences.

File conventions for Architecture Decision Records involve standardized naming, centralized storage, and linking to code and issues. Establishing these clear guidelines ensures ADRs are easily discoverable and traceable within the project repository.

This ADR framework requires no specific dependencies or platforms to implement. It provides a standardized methodology and template for documenting technical decisions that can be applied across any software engineering project using standard file storage.