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Architectural Decision Records (ADRs)

This directory contains Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) that document important architectural decisions made for the MethodGrid project.

What is an ADR?

An architecture decision record (ADR) is a document that captures an important architectural decision made along with its context and consequences. ADRs help us:

  • Track the reasoning behind architectural choices
  • Understand the trade-offs of different approaches
  • Maintain institutional knowledge as the team grows
  • Avoid revisiting settled decisions

Template

Use the ADR Template when creating new architectural decisions.

Active ADRs

Version Control & Git

  • Git Commit Guidelines - Status: Approved (Nov 2023)
  • Defines conventional commit structure and standards

  • Impact: Medium

  • Git Branching - Status: Accepted (Mar 2025)

  • Branch naming conventions and sub-feature branch standards
  • Impact: Low

Database & Models

  • Relational Database Constraints - Status: Approved (Nov 2023)
  • Database integrity through constraints (foreign keys, unique, check, etc.)

  • Impact: High

  • ORM Models - Status: To Validate

  • Eloquent model standards and best practices
  • Impact: High

API & Data Formatting

Infrastructure & Architecture

Patterns & Architecture

  • Events & Listeners - Status: In Progress
  • Event-driven architecture patterns (to be defined)

  • Impact: High

  • Commands & Handlers - Status: In Progress

  • Command pattern for domain changes
  • Impact: High

ADR Lifecycle

Decision Identification

  • How urgent and important is the architectural decision?
  • Does it have to be made now, or can it wait?
  • Maintain a decision todo list

Decision Making

  • Use dialogue mapping and group decision-making techniques
  • Consider both technical and social factors
  • Evaluate trade-offs and alternatives

Decision Documentation

  • Use the standardized template
  • Include rationale, context, and consequences
  • Keep ADRs specific to one decision
  • Add timestamps for aspects that may change over time
  • Don't alter existing ADRs; instead, supersede with new ADRs

Decision Sharing

  • ADRs are reusable knowledge assets
  • Share experiences across projects
  • Review ADRs periodically (e.g., one month after implementation)

Writing Good ADRs

Characteristics of Good ADRs

  • Rationale: Explain reasons, context, pros/cons, cost/benefit
  • Specific: One decision per ADR
  • Timestamped: Document when decisions were made
  • Immutable: Add new information via amendments or new ADRs

Good "Context" Section

  • Explain organizational situation and business priorities
  • Include team composition and skills considerations
  • Describe relevant pros and cons
  • Align with organizational needs and goals

Good "Consequences" Section

  • Explain effects, outcomes, and follow-ups
  • Reference subsequent ADRs triggered by this decision
  • Include after-action review processes
  • Document lessons learned

Superseding ADRs

When an architectural decision changes:

  1. Create a new ADR with updated decision
  2. Mark the old ADR as "SUPERSEDED"
  3. Link between the old and new ADRs
  4. Explain what changed and why

Resources

Internal References

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