Drafting ADRs your future self will open

An architecture decision record should answer why a reasonable alternative was rejected, not only what shipped. Our template opens with context bullets, then lists constraints that were true at decision time. That ordering prevents readers from assuming today’s relaxed constraints applied last quarter.

We also require a “dissent” subsection even when everyone agreed. If it stays empty, the author writes one sentence explaining that no contrary view was raised in the forum. That single line has ended more hallway arguments than any diagram.

Finally, we tie each ADR to a sunset trigger—date, metric, or product milestone. Without a trigger, documents ossify. With one, teams revisit decisions without waiting for an emergency.