Architecture Decision Records

Capture architectural decisions systematically so your team understands not just what was decided, but why — and what alternatives were considered.

Core Principles

1. Decisions Are More Important Than Diagrams

A diagram shows the current architecture. An ADR explains why it is that way. When someone asks "why did we do it this way?" the ADR is the answer.

2. Capture Context, Not Just Conclusions

Every architectural decision exists in a web of constraints, tradeoffs, and alternatives. If you only record the conclusion, future engineers will wonder if you considered the obvious alternative — and they might reverse it without understanding why the original choice was made.

3. Lightweight Is Sustainable

An ADR doesn't need to be a 10-page document. A structured 1-page record is infinitely better than nothing. If the process is heavy, people won't follow it.

4. Accept and Track Superseded Decisions

Architecture evolves. An ADR that gets superseded is a success — it means the system adapted. Old ADRs remain valuable as historical records of the team's thinking.