Use Markdown Architectural Decision Records

Context and Problem Statement

We want to record architectural decisions made in this project. Which format and structure should these records follow?

Considered Options

• MADR 2.1.2 – The Markdown Architectural Decision Records
• Michael Nygard’s template – The first incarnation of the term “ADR”
• Sustainable Architectural Decisions – The Y-Statements
• Other templates listed at https://github.com/joelparkerhenderson/architecture_decision_record
• Formless – No conventions for file format and structure

Decision Outcome

Chosen option: “MADR 2.1.2”, because

• Implicit assumptions should be made explicit. Design documentation is important to enable people understanding the decisions later on. See also A rational design process: How and why to fake it.
• The MADR format is lean and fits our development style.
• The MADR structure is comprehensible and facilitates usage & maintenance.
• The MADR project is vivid.
• Version 2.1.2 is the latest one available when starting to document ADRs.