tech-arch-architecture-decision-records

An architecture decision record (ADR) captures significant software architecture choices to ensure traceability and governance. You should document an ADR when making major design decisions, recording trade-offs, or establishing formal governance processes across projects.

To write an ADR using the MADR template, draft your architectural decision by filling out the structured MADR format to capture context, decision drivers, considered options, and consequences. This ensures standardized documentation and governance for your project.

Yes, the approach supports lightweight ADRs and RFC-style documentation alongside MADR, Y-Statement, and Deprecation templates. This allows you to capture architectural decisions at the appropriate level of formality for your specific governance needs.

You manage the ADR lifecycle by indexing records, linking related architectural decisions, notifying stakeholders, and tracking supersession. This governance workflow ensures historical context is preserved and engineers can trace how past decisions evolve over time.

The best way to onboard engineers to historical architectural decisions is using indexed ADRs. Applying structured templates and governance workflows provides the traceability and historical context needed for retroactive analysis and auditing.

Yes, you can use ADRs to track deprecation of architectural components by applying the Deprecation template. This records design trade-offs and formally documents the lifecycle phase of architectural components being phased out.