Skip to content

Architect's Practices

FullstackCodingGuy edited this page Feb 18, 2025 · 6 revisions

Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)

How Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) Can Help Manage Software Architecture

Decision-making is at the core of any successful software project. Whether you’re selecting the right technology stack, defining architectural patterns, or evaluating trade-offs, every decision has a profound impact on the outcome of your project. However, as projects evolve and team members come and go, it’s easy to lose track of why certain decisions were made in the first place. This is where Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) shine as an invaluable tool.

The Importance of Decision-Making in Software Projects

Every software project starts with a set of choices:

  • Architecture: Should you adopt a monolith, microservices, or serverless architecture?
  • Technology Stack: Which frameworks, programming languages, and databases best suit your needs?
  • Trade-offs: Do you prioritize speed of development, performance, or scalability?

These decisions are often influenced by the context of the project at the time — deadlines, team expertise, client requirements, or budget constraints. While these factors provide clarity in the moment, they can fade over time, leaving future developers wondering: Why did we choose this approach?

Clone this wiki locally