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N. Short title of the decision

  • Status: Proposed | Accepted | Superseded by NNNN | Deprecated
  • Date: YYYY-MM-DD

Context

What is the situation that forces a decision? What constraints, requirements, and forces are in play? Write this so that someone with no memory of the discussion can understand why a choice was necessary. State facts, not the conclusion.

Decision

The choice that was made, stated plainly and in the present tense ("Korrin indents with spaces only"). Include the specifics needed to implement it.

Consequences

What becomes easier, and what becomes harder or is given up. Include follow-on work this decision creates and any traps it sets for the future. Be honest about the downsides.

Alternatives considered

Each realistic option that was not chosen, with one or two sentences on why not. "We didn't think of anything else" is rarely true; if an option was obvious and rejected, it belongs here so nobody has to re-litigate it.