Architecture Decision Record (ADR)

An Architecture Decision Record (ADR) is an architecture documentation artifact that captures a single architectural decision including its decision context, considered options, and decision rationale.

• AKA: ADR, Architecture Decision, Decision Record, Architectural Decision Log Entry.
• Context:
  • It can typically document Decision Context through context description.
  • It can typically present Decision Option through option analysis.
  • It can typically justify Decision Rationale through reasoning documentation.
  • It can typically specify Decision Consequence through impact assessment.
  • It can typically establish Decision Status through status tracking.
  • ...
  • It can often reference Quality Attribute through attribute tradeoff.
  • It can often link Related Decision through decision dependency.
  • It can often include Decision Stakeholder through stakeholder concern.
  • It can often capture Decision Constraint through constraint documentation.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Architecture Decision Record to being a Detailed Architecture Decision Record, depending on its architecture decision documentation depth.
  • It can range from being a Technical Architecture Decision Record to being a Business Architecture Decision Record, depending on its architecture decision domain.
  • It can range from being a Reversible Architecture Decision Record to being an Irreversible Architecture Decision Record, depending on its architecture decision permanence.
  • It can range from being a Local Architecture Decision Record to being a Global Architecture Decision Record, depending on its architecture decision scope.
  • It can range from being a Low-Impact Architecture Decision Record to being a High-Impact Architecture Decision Record, depending on its architecture decision significance.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Software Architecture Design Document for architecture documentation.
  • It can connect to Change Management System for decision tracking.
  • It can interface with Version Control System for decision history.
  • It can communicate with Architecture Review Board for decision approval.
  • It can synchronize with Risk Register for risk documentation.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Technology Architecture Decision Records, such as:
    • Database Architecture Decision Records, such as:
      • SQL vs NoSQL Architecture Decision Record for data storage selection.
      • Database Sharding Architecture Decision Record for scalability strategy.
    • Framework Architecture Decision Records, such as:
      • Microservices Framework Architecture Decision Record for service architecture.
      • Frontend Framework Architecture Decision Record for UI technology choice.
  • Security Architecture Decision Records, such as:
    • Authentication Architecture Decision Records, such as:
      • OAuth Implementation Architecture Decision Record for authentication mechanism.
      • Zero Trust Architecture Decision Record for security model.
  • Integration Architecture Decision Records, such as:
    • API Gateway Architecture Decision Record for service integration.
    • Event-Driven Architecture Decision Record for asynchronous communication.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Design Pattern Documentation, which describes reusable solutions rather than specific decisions.
  • Technical Specification, which details implementation requirements rather than decision rationale.
  • Meeting Minutes, which record discussion points rather than structured decisions.
• See: Software Architecture Design Document, Decision Log, Architecture Review Process, Technical Decision, Design Rationale Document, Change Request Document, Risk Assessment Document.

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