Design System Decision Records

Design system decision records document significant decisions about design system architecture, patterns, and direction. Recording decisions with their context and rationale creates institutional memory that helps future maintainers understand why things are the way they are.

What Are Decision Records

Decision records are structured documents capturing decisions along with the context in which they were made. Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) are a common format, but the concept applies broadly to any significant decision worth documenting.

Records typically include the decision itself, the context and problem being addressed, options that were considered, the rationale for the choice made, and any consequences or trade-offs accepted. This structure ensures future readers understand not just what was decided but why.

How to Create Effective Decision Records

Trigger identification determines when to create records. Significant architectural choices, pattern decisions, technology selections, and governance changes warrant documentation. Routine decisions do not need formal records.

Context documentation captures the situation at decision time. What problem was being solved? What constraints existed? What information was available? Context helps future readers understand decisions in their original circumstances.

Options enumeration lists alternatives that were considered. Understanding what was not chosen, and why, provides insight into decision reasoning. Options show that the decision was thoughtful rather than arbitrary.

Rationale explanation documents why the chosen option was selected. What criteria favored this choice? What trade-offs were accepted? What assumptions were made? Rationale is the most valuable part of decision records.

Consequence acknowledgment notes expected impacts. What becomes easier or harder as a result? What follow-on decisions are required? What risks are accepted? Consequences help future readers understand implications.

Key Considerations

• Decision records require maintenance effort; balance thoroughness with sustainability
• Not all decisions need records; focus on significant, non-obvious choices
• Records should be discoverable; linking from relevant code or documentation helps
• Superseded decisions should be marked but preserved for historical context
• Records are for understanding, not blame; maintain constructive framing

Common Questions

Who should create decision records?

Decision records are typically created by those making or driving decisions. For design systems, this often means core team members or significant contributors. The key is capturing perspective from those with direct context. Reviews by others can improve quality and catch gaps.

How detailed should decision records be?

Detail should be sufficient for a newcomer to understand the decision without excessive research. Enough context to understand the problem, clear articulation of options and rationale, and noted consequences provide adequate depth. Over-detailed records may not be read; under-detailed records may not inform.

Summary

Design system decision records document significant choices with their context, options, rationale, and consequences. Effective records create institutional memory that helps future maintainers understand system evolution. Creating records for significant decisions while maintaining sustainable effort balances documentation value with practical constraints.