architecture-decision-records

An Architecture Decision Record (ADR) captures the context, decisions, and consequences of significant technical choices. You should document an ADR for major framework selections, design pattern adoptions, governance policies, and strategy reviews across projects to preserve rationale.

To write an ADR, create a new file using the standard ADR template, fill in the context and decision sections, and add it to the organized index. This ensures your framework choices and design patterns are reproducible and reviewable.

The best way to manage architectural governance is applying ADRs consistently. Use structured templates, lifecycle guidance, and an organized index with linking to related ADRs to build a decision graph that enables traceability across projects.

Maintain an ADR index by adding each new record to a structured directory and linking it to related ADRs. This builds a decision graph that enables traceability and supports onboarding with references to best practices.

ADRs should not be used for minor implementation details that lack significant architectural impact. Reserve Architecture Decision Records for major framework choices, governance policies, and design pattern decisions where capturing context and consequences is critical.

Yes, the ADR approach works for onboarding by providing structured templates and references to best practices. The organized index and decision graph give new developers traceable context, decisions, and consequences for past architectural choices.