Document Types Overview

ArchDoc supports three types of technical documents, each serving a specific purpose in your engineering workflow.

Document Types

Quick Comparison

Document Categories

All documents in ArchDoc have one of three categories:

In Progress

• Document is being drafted
• Still accepting edits
• Sign-offs pending

Accepted

• Document has been approved
• Sign-offs complete
• Ready for implementation

Closed

• Document is no longer active
• Could be superseded or rejected
• Preserved for historical reference

Choosing the Right Type

Use this decision tree:

Is this a single architectural choice?
├── Yes → ADR
└── No
    ├── Are you proposing a change for team discussion?
    │   ├── Yes → RFC
    │   └── No
    │       └── Is this a detailed technical design?
    │           ├── Yes → Design Doc
    │           └── No → Consider ADR

Common Workflows

ADR Workflow

1. Identify a decision to be made
2. Create an ADR documenting options
3. Choose an option and document reasoning
4. (Optional) Request sign-offs
5. Mark as Accepted

RFC Workflow

1. Identify a change or improvement
2. Create RFC with proposal details
3. Share with team for feedback
4. Iterate based on comments
5. Request sign-offs
6. Mark as Accepted or Closed

Design Doc Workflow

1. Plan a significant feature
2. Create Design Doc with full details
3. Include diagrams and technical specs
4. Request sign-offs from stakeholders
5. Mark as Accepted
6. Reference during implementation

Getting Started

• Create your first document
• Learn about editing
• Understand sign-offs