architecture

An architectural decision record (ADR) captures context, options, and rationale for system design choices. You need an ADR when selecting architectural patterns or evaluating trade-offs to ensure traceable decisions and stakeholder alignment.

Analyze trade-offs by comparing architectural options across quality attributes and constraints. Document the context, evaluate each pattern's impact, and record the rationale to guide pattern-selection and ensure decisions align with stakeholder requirements.

The best way to document architectural decisions for governance is using ADR templates to capture context, options, and rationale. This creates traceable decision records that align system design with stakeholder requirements and formalize trade-off analysis.

Ensure architectural decisions are traceable to stakeholders by using context discovery and formal decision records. Documenting the rationale and trade-offs in ADRs maintains alignment and provides a clear history of why specific architectural choices were made.

Yes, you can apply architectural decision-making to any project requiring system design choices. The framework is applicable across software architecture tasks to document context, compare options, and record trade-off rationale in a structured, repeatable way.

You should not use formal architectural decision records for minor implementation details that lack significant trade-offs. ADRs are designed for capturing context and rationale when selecting architectural patterns or evaluating major system design choices.