Decision Log
This document is used to track key decisions that are made during the course of the project. This can be used at a later stage to understand why decisions were made and by whom.
Benefits
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Transparency & Accountability – A Decision Log ensures all key project decisions are documented, making it clear who made each decision and why, fostering accountability within the team.
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Historical Reference – Teams can revisit past decisions to understand the reasoning and alternatives considered, preventing redundant discussions and rework.
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Continuity for New Team Members – New team members can quickly get up to speed by reviewing past decisions, reducing the learning curve and ensuring consistency in project direction.
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Efficient Decision-Making – By keeping a structured record, teams can make informed choices faster, avoiding repeated debates on previously resolved issues.
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Risk Management – Documenting decisions helps teams identify potential risks and dependencies, ensuring that changes are made with full awareness of past considerations.
Structure
| Decision | Date | Alternatives Considered | Reasoning | Detailed doc | Made By | Work Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A one-sentence summary of the decision made. | Date the decision was made. | A list of the other approaches considered. | A two to three sentence summary of why the decision was made. | A link to the ADR with the format [Title] DR. | Who made this decision? | A link to the work item for the linked ADR. |