Johannes Dienst

Work efficiently with Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)

A simple text file saved hundreds of teams from solving the same problem twice. Learn how Architecture Decision Records can scale your organization's technical knowledge.

Work efficiently with Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)
#1about 7 minutes

Why documenting architectural decisions is crucial

Undocumented decisions lead to repeated discussions and confusion, wasting valuable team time and effort.

#2about 6 minutes

Defining design decisions at different levels of abstraction

Design decisions exist at the code, solution, and application levels, with architectural decisions focusing on high-impact choices like patterns and frameworks.

#3about 3 minutes

Using the arc42 template for lightweight documentation

The arc42 template provides a standardized, lightweight structure for technical documentation, with a dedicated chapter for architecture decisions.

#4about 6 minutes

Understanding the structure of an Architecture Decision Record

An ADR template captures the title, decision, status, context, consequences, and alternatives to provide a clear and concise record of a choice.

#5about 9 minutes

Best practices for writing effective ADR components

Writing effective ADRs requires precise language, clear status tracking, comprehensive context, and a thorough evaluation of alternatives.

#6about 10 minutes

Managing many ADRs using a Docs as Code approach

A Docs as Code workflow using AsciiDoc and Git enables versioning, peer review, and the generation of a searchable static site for large ADR collections.

#7about 6 minutes

Scaling ADRs for team alignment and corporate efficiency

Implementing a peer review process for documentation improves quality, while making ADRs transparent across an organization prevents redundant work and saves significant costs.

#8about 3 minutes

Making ADRs discoverable with an internal search engine

Integrating the ADR microsite with a corporate search engine makes architectural decisions easily discoverable, fostering knowledge sharing across the entire organization.

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