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Blog•5 min read

Linking ADRs with C4 Models for Better Governance

By Visual C4 architecture Team•

Welcome to the guide on Linking ADRs with C4 Models for Better Governance! This page is part of our comprehensive guide on Architecture Decision Records and will help you understand how to improve architecture governance and understanding.

Key Topics

  1. Benefits of Linking ADRs and C4 Models: Discover the advantages of integrating ADRs with C4 model diagrams.
  2. Implementation Strategies: Learn how to effectively link ADRs with C4 models in your projects.
  3. Tool Integration: Explore tools that support the integration of ADRs and C4 models.
  4. Maintenance Best Practices: Keep your linked ADRs and C4 models up-to-date and relevant.

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Detailed Overview

Benefits of Linking ADRs and C4 Models

Linking ADRs with C4 models provides a comprehensive view of your system's architecture and the decisions that shaped it. This integration enhances understanding, improves governance, and facilitates better decision-making.

Implementation Strategies

Implementing the linkage between ADRs and C4 models involves:

  1. Identifying Key Decisions: Determine which decisions should be linked to specific elements in your C4 diagrams.
  2. Creating Links: Establish clear and consistent links between ADRs and C4 model elements.
  3. Documenting Relationships: Document the relationships between decisions and architectural elements for future reference.

Tool Integration

Choose tools that support the integration of ADRs and C4 models. Look for features such as linking capabilities, version control, and collaboration support.

Maintenance Best Practices

Maintaining the linkage between ADRs and C4 models involves:

  • Regular Reviews: Periodically review and update the links to ensure they remain relevant.
  • Version Control: Use version control to track changes and updates to both ADRs and C4 models.
  • Integration with Tools: Integrate ADRs and C4 models with your architecture tools for better management.

Conclusion

Linking ADRs with C4 models is a powerful way to improve architecture governance and understanding. By integrating these two aspects of architecture documentation, you can create a comprehensive and clear view of your system's architecture and the decisions that shaped it.

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