CNC Architectural Decision Record: CNC‐ADR - globe-and-citizen/cnc-portal GitHub Wiki

ADR: Using Architectural Decision Records (ADRs)

Date: 2024-11-03

Status: Accepted

Context:

We are adopting Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) as a key part of our project documentation strategy. This decision is based on industry best practices and aims to improve the maintainability, transparency, and overall quality of our project.

Considered Options

Decision:

We will use ADRs to document all significant architectural decisions made during the project lifecycle. This includes choices related to:

  • Technology stack (programming languages, frameworks, libraries)
  • Design patterns and architectural styles
  • Data structures and algorithms
  • Deployment strategies and infrastructure
  • Third-party integrations

Consequences:

  • Improved maintainability: ADRs provide a clear and concise history of architectural decisions, making it easier to understand the rationale behind the current design and make informed changes in the future.
  • Increased transparency: ADRs promote open communication and collaboration within the team by providing a shared understanding of the project's architecture.
  • Reduced risk: ADRs help identify potential design flaws and inconsistencies early on, reducing the risk of costly rework later in the project.
  • Enhanced knowledge sharing: ADRs serve as a valuable knowledge base for new team members, enabling them to quickly get up to speed on the project's architecture.

How we will use ADRs:

  • Each ADR will be a separate document with a consistent format, including:

    • Title: A brief and descriptive title for the decision.

    • Date: The date the decision was made.

    • Status: The current status of the decision (e.g., proposed, accepted, rejected, superseded).

    • Context: The background and motivation for the decision.

    • Considered Options: List of options you have

    • Decision: A clear and concise description of the decision.

    • Consequences: The expected positive and negative consequences of the decision.

  • ADRs will be stored in a central location (e.g., project wiki, version control system) and easily accessible to all team members.
  • We will establish a process for creating, reviewing, and updating ADRs as the project evolves.

References:

Further Considerations:

  • We may adopt a specific ADR template or tool to ensure consistency and streamline the process.
  • We will periodically review our ADRs to ensure they remain relevant and up-to-date.
  • We will encourage all team members to actively participate in the creation and review of ADRs.

This ADR serves as the foundation for our documentation strategy and will be referenced in all subsequent ADRs.