Workflow - Architecture Promotion Checklist

Use this checklist to move architecture notes through maturity with low overhead.

Status Gates

Draft -> Active

Promote when all items are true:

• The problem/scope is clear and bounded.
• At least one realistic target-state architecture is documented.
• Major assumptions and open questions are explicit.
• The note links to relevant ADRs (decided_by) where decisions exist.
• A delivery team can implement safely without oral-only context.

Active -> Approved

Promote when all items are true:

• Critical decisions are accepted and linked ADRs are stable.
• Cross-domain dependencies and impacts are documented.
• Applicable principles are mapped and reflected in the architecture.
• Main risks and operational consequences are documented.
• Governance review has explicitly accepted this note as baseline.

Any -> Archived

Archive when both are true:

• The architecture is replaced or no longer part of target state.
• A successor note is linked via superseded_by where applicable.

Fast Review Pattern (10 Minutes)

1. Read ## Summary and ## Architecture.
2. Verify decision chain in decided_by.
3. Verify principle alignment in ## Applicable Principles.
4. Decide one action: keep draft, promote, or request targeted updates.

Rule of Thumb

• Keep notes in draft by default while learning.
• Promote to active as soon as implementation can safely consume the note.
• Do not wait for perfection; use small, frequent updates.