{
  "schema": "vedokrok.public-item.v1",
  "release_id": "MHC-RPUB-20260920-75ad787a",
  "url": "/knowledge/keep-the-old-decision-when-you-replace-it",
  "id": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-1013",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "title": "Keep the old decision when you replace it",
  "summary": "Deleting the old rationale makes the past look less reasonable than it was.",
  "kind": "template",
  "body": "Keep a short decision record with the forces present at the time, the choice and its consequences. When a new decision replaces it, mark the old record as superseded and link the replacement. Preserve history without presenting an obsolete choice as current guidance.",
  "limits": [
    "An architecture decision record is not a diary for every minor edit. Preserve confidential details only in approved locations and correct factual errors transparently."
  ],
  "topics": [
    "work-05-transferable-expertise"
  ],
  "intents": [],
  "source_ids": [
    "RS-475C7CFA24D02071"
  ],
  "evidence": [
    {
      "claim": "Nygard's architecture decision records preserve context, decision, status and consequences, retaining superseded decisions with a reference to their replacement.",
      "source_id": "RS-475C7CFA24D02071",
      "role": "supports",
      "note": "An ADR records a decision and its rationale, not proof that the decision was correct or remains suitable.",
      "locator": "Format; Status; Consequences"
    }
  ],
  "use_when": [
    "A technical choice is changing and future readers will need to understand both versions."
  ],
  "avoid_when": [
    "An architecture decision record is not a diary for every minor edit. Preserve confidential details only in approved locations and correct factual errors transparently."
  ],
  "example": "A team replaces a batch interface with an event-based one. The earlier record retains the volume and platform constraints that originally justified batching.",
  "check": "A reader can identify the current decision and explain why the earlier one existed.",
  "template": "Decision: [choice]. Context and constraints: [context]. Status: [status]. Consequences and trade-offs: [effects]. Replaces or is replaced by: [link].",
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "RS-475C7CFA24D02071",
      "title": "Documenting Architecture Decisions",
      "url": "https://www.cognitect.com/blog/2011/11/15/documenting-architecture-decisions"
    }
  ],
  "relations": [
    {
      "from": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-1013",
      "to": "MHC-D-RESEARCH-1011",
      "type": "useful_with",
      "url": "/knowledge/trace-a-requirement-to-the-reason-and-test-that-justify-it"
    }
  ],
  "collections": [
    {
      "id": "RC-D7E536E5F014E0EC",
      "title": "Turn experience into expertise someone else can use",
      "url": "/collections/turn-experience-into-expertise-someone-else-can-use"
    }
  ]
}