architecture-decision-records

An architecture decision record (ADR) documents the context, alternatives, and consequences of a major technology choice. You need an ADR when evaluating significant design decisions to ensure consistent governance and knowledge transfer across teams.

You document architectural decisions by creating a new ADR from a standardized template and storing it in the docs/adr directory. This captures the rationale and guides future design changes with a uniform lifecycle.

Yes, you can track the design decision lifecycle across Proposed, Accepted, Deprecated, and Superseded statuses. The records support cross-linking to related decisions for consistent governance and auditing.

The best way to govern technology choices is maintaining a central index of architecture decision records. This provides reference examples and cross-linking to standardize decision-tracking and facilitate knowledge transfer.

No dependencies are required to start creating ADRs. You can immediately use the provided templates and guidance to document major technology choices and their rationale in a consistent format.

Standardized ADRs provide an auditable format that captures context and consequences, unlike informal documentation. They implement a structured lifecycle with cross-linking and a central index for reliable governance.