An architecture decision record leaders can use
A short decision record is often more useful than a long deck when the enterprise must revisit a consequential choice.
Document the choice, evidence, trade-offs, decision owner and the conditions under which the choice should be challenged.
The eight fields worth recording
| Field | What to capture |
|---|---|
| 1. Decision | One sentence defining exactly what is being approved |
| 2. Business driver | Outcome, urgency and the consequence of doing nothing |
| 3. Scope and boundary | Which processes, systems and geographies are included or excluded |
| 4. Options | A credible alternative and a do-nothing or defer option |
| 5. Evidence | Assumptions, facts, gaps and source or validation owner |
| 6. Trade-offs | Cost, risk, reversibility, support ownership and dependencies |
| 7. Authority | Who recommends, approves, implements and owns exceptions |
| 8. Revisit trigger | What future evidence or event should reopen the decision |
Example: integration platform boundary
Decision: apply a defined workload-based boundary between SAP-native integration and enterprise iPaaS. Evidence needed: representative interface inventory, operating capacity, contractual capabilities and resilience requirements. Revisit trigger: major platform change, noncompliant exceptions or material change in support economics.
A template you can use
The downloadable Markdown template includes a place for facts, assumptions, outstanding evidence and accountable approval. It is intentionally short enough to be used in an architecture review.
Download decision record template (.md) ↓
Failure mode: a recommendation that records a preferred product but not the decision owner, rejected alternatives, consequences or exit conditions.