Architecture Decision Record

An Architecture Decision Record is an organizational decision record that captures architectural decisions, decision context, and decision consequences.

• AKA: ADR, Architectural Decision Log, Design Decision Record.
• Context:
  • It can typically document Decision Title through descriptive headings and unique identifiers.
  • It can typically capture Decision Context through problem statements and driving forces.
  • It can typically record Decision Outcome through chosen solutions and rationale explanations.
  • It can typically enumerate Decision Consequence through trade-off analysis and impact assessments.
  • It can typically track Decision Status through lifecycle states and revision history.
  • ...
  • It can often include Alternative Option through considered alternatives and rejection reasons.
  • It can often reference Related Decision through decision dependencies and decision impacts.
  • It can often specify Implementation Guidance through action items and migration paths.
  • It can often establish Review Criteria through success metrics and evaluation checkpoints.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Lightweight Architecture Decision Record to being a Comprehensive Architecture Decision Record, depending on its documentation detail level.
  • It can range from being a Technical Architecture Decision Record to being a Strategic Architecture Decision Record, depending on its decision scope breadth.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Version Control System for decision history tracking.
  • It can connect to Documentation Platform for centralized access.
  • It can interface with Project Management System for implementation tracking.
  • It can communicate with Architecture Review Board for decision approval.
  • It can synchronize with Knowledge Management System for organizational learning.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Technology-Choice Architecture Decision Records, such as:
    • Database Selection Architecture Decision Record documenting database technology choice.
    • Framework Adoption Architecture Decision Record capturing framework selection rationale.
    • Cloud Provider Architecture Decision Record recording cloud platform decision.
  • Pattern-Based Architecture Decision Records, such as:
    • Microservice Adoption Architecture Decision Record for architectural style change.
    • Event-Driven Architecture Decision Record for messaging pattern adoption.
  • Cross-Cutting Architecture Decision Records, such as:
    • Security Architecture Decision Record for security control decisions.
    • Performance Architecture Decision Record for optimization strategies.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Informal Design Discussion, which lacks structured documentation format.
  • Implementation Detail Document, which focuses on how rather than why.
  • Meeting Minutes, which capture discussion without formal decision structure.
• See: Governance Process, Organizational Decision Record, Technical Design Document, Software Architecture Document, Project Management Plan, System Design Document, Cross-Team Governance Practice.

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