method#Architecture#Software Engineering#Decision Making#Standards
Architecture Decision Record (ADR)
An architecture decision record documents decisions about system architectures.
The architecture decision record helps document informed decisions and promotes communication within the team.
Maturity
Established
Cognitive loadMedium
Classification
- ComplexityMedium
- Impact areaOrganizational
- Decision typeArchitectural
- Organizational maturityIntermediate
Technical context
Integrations
Project management toolsDatabases for recordingDocumentation software
Principles & goals
Transparency in DecisionsTraceable DocumentationCollaboration within Team
Value stream stage
Discovery
Organizational level
Team, Domain
Use cases & scenarios
Use cases
Scenarios
Compromises
Risks
- Conflicting information in the records
- Inadequate management of records
- Misuse of records for backtracking
Best practices
- Clear naming of records
- Regularly update records
- Involve the entire team
I/O & resources
Inputs
- Existing architecture guidelines
- Team strategy and goals
- Stakeholder feedback
Outputs
- Documentation of decisions
- History of architecture decisions
- Enhanced team communication
Description
The architecture decision record helps document informed decisions and promotes communication within the team. It allows for a transparent tracking of architectural decisions over time.
✔Benefits
- Improved communication among team members
- Clear traceability of decisions
- Facilitated decision making
✖Limitations
- Potentially time-consuming documentation
- Can lead to excessive formality
- Not all decisions can be documented
Trade-offs
Metrics
- Number of Documented Decisions
Number of decisions documented in the record.
- Time Taken to Create Records
Time taken to create records.
- Acceptance Rate in the Team
Degree of acceptance of the record within the team.
Examples & implementations
Example of a Successful Project
An example of a project that implemented ADRs and saved time as a result.
Book Marketing Case Study
A case study showing how ADRs were used to improve communication.
E-Commerce Project Example
An example of an e-commerce project that gained structure through ADRs.
Implementation steps
1
Define the recording strategy
2
Train the team
3
Regular review of records
⚠️ Technical debt & bottlenecks
Technical debt
- Outdated record-creation methods
- Lack of trust in the documentation
- Excessive reliance on individuals
Known bottlenecks
Lack of acceptance in the teamInsufficient documentation practiceTechnical training deficits
Misuse examples
- Using records to change decisions retrospectively
- Using records as leverage
- Using outdated records
Typical traps
- Creating too many documents
- Resistance to documentation
- Inadequate review of records
Required skills
Basic knowledge of software architectureCommunication skills in the teamKnowledge of documentation standards
Architectural drivers
Required Security StandardsUser-friendlinessAdaptability
Constraints
- • Resources: Time for documentation
- • Restrictions: Internal guidelines
- • Tools: Required software for recording