Adr

{
  "name": "adr",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "author": "Based on Olaf Zimmermann's ADR methodology and MADR template",
  "references": [
    {
      "title": "AD Definition of Ready",
      "url": "https://ozimmer.ch/practices/2023/12/01/ADDefinitionOfReady.html",
      "description": "START criteria for evaluating decision readiness"
    },
    {
      "title": "ADR Creation Best Practices",
      "url": "https://www.ozimmer.ch/practices/2023/04/03/ADRCreation.html",
      "description": "Seven good practices and eleven anti-patterns for ADR writing"
    },
    {
      "title": "MADR Template Primer",
      "url": "https://www.ozimmer.ch/practices/2022/11/22/MADRTemplatePrimer.html",
      "description": "Complete guide to the Markdown ADR template structure"
    },
    {
      "title": "AD Definition of Done",
      "url": "https://www.ozimmer.ch/practices/2020/05/22/ADDefinitionOfDone.html",
      "description": "ECADR criteria for evaluating decision completeness"
    },
    {
      "title": "ASR Test for Architectural Decisions",
      "url": "https://www.ozimmer.ch/practices/2020/09/24/ASRTestECSADecisions.html",
      "description": "Seven criteria for assessing architectural significance"
    }
  ],
  "tags": [
    "architecture",
    "adr",
    "decision-records",
    "madr",
    "software-architecture",
    "documentation",
    "design-decisions",
    "technical-leadership"
  ],
  "keywords": [
    "adr",
    "architecture decision record",
    "architectural decision",
    "madr",
    "decision log",
    "design rationale",
    "architecture documentation",
    "technical decision",
    "decision drivers",
    "considered options",
    "decision outcome",
    "tradeoff analysis",
    "architectural significance"
  ]
}


# ADR Rules

## Sections

### Readiness
Evaluating when a decision is ready to be recorded.
- `readiness-start-criteria.md` - The START criteria for decision readiness
- `readiness-architectural-significance.md` - Assessing if a decision warrants an ADR

### Creation
Writing high-quality ADRs.
- `creation-madr-template.md` - The MADR template structure and guidance
- `creation-writing-principles.md` - Seven good practices for ADR authorship
- `creation-anti-patterns.md` - Eleven anti-patterns to avoid in ADRs

### Completion
Evaluating ADR quality and completeness.
- `completion-ecadr-criteria.md` - The ECADR Definition of Done checklist
- `completion-validation.md` - Evidence gathering and stakeholder agreement

### Lifecycle
Managing ADRs over time.
- `lifecycle-management.md` - ADR log maintenance, superseding, and review cycles


---
title: ECADR Definition of Done
impact: CRITICAL
tags: completion, ecadr, quality, review, done
---

## ECADR Definition of Done

**Impact: CRITICAL**

Before marking an ADR as "accepted", evaluate all five ECADR criteria. An incomplete ADR creates false confidence — the team thinks a decision was properly made, but gaps in evidence or agreement lead to revisiting it later under worse conditions.

### The Five Criteria

**E — Evidence**
Confirm the chosen design will work:
- Demonstrates it satisfies specific, measurable quality requirements
- Doesn't contradict previous accepted decisions
- Implementable in the short term and maintainable long-term

Validation methods (pick what fits):
- Proof-of-concept or architectural spike
- Expert evaluation or vouching
- Team review with relevant experience
- Reference to similar production systems

**C — Criteria**
At least two alternatives have been identified, investigated, and compared using stakeholder concerns and decision drivers:
- Systematic comparison applied (but pragmatically — avoid over-analysis)
- Tradeoffs between options documented
- Rejected alternatives retained as noted fallbacks where applicable

**A — Agreement**
Sufficient stakeholder alignment achieved:
- Peer/mentor and team have reviewed and concurred
- Involvement level matches decision scope (enterprise decisions need more buy-in)
- Early engagement o