Architectural Decision Records (ADRs) are a proven method for capturing important architectural decisions made during a project. By documenting these decisions, teams can ensure that the rationale behind key architectural choices is recorded for future reference. This practice enhances communication among team members and stakeholders, providing a clear historical context that aids in understanding the evolution of a system's architecture.
ADRs are particularly useful in agile environments where decisions are made frequently and need to be communicated efficiently. They help in maintaining a lightweight and accessible record of decisions, which is crucial for onboarding new team members or revisiting past decisions when the context or requirements change.
The adoption of ADRs is recommended in the methods-and-patterns quadrant as it reflects a mature approach to managing architectural complexity through structured documentation. As teams increasingly recognize the value of maintaining decision logs, ADRs have become a standard practice in many organizations, emphasizing their relevance in the adopt ring.