What is typically used to inform stakeholders about architectural decisions in TOGAF?

In TOGAF, architectural decision records are used to document and communicate architectural decisions made throughout the architecture development process. These records serve several vital functions: they provide a historical account of decisions, allow stakeholders to understand the rationale behind those decisions, and help to ensure consistency and continuity in architectural practices.

By maintaining detailed records of architectural decisions, architects can effectively inform stakeholders about the context, implications, and reasoning for each decision made. This transparency fosters better communication among team members and aligns the stakeholders’ expectations with the architectural vision.

The other choices do not serve the same function as architectural decision records. Project charters and contracts primarily outline the scope, objectives, and agreements of a project but do not specifically convey architectural decisions. Market research reports focus on external factors affecting the organization and are not directly related to documenting architectural choices. Implementation timelines provide schedules and milestones for project execution but lack the detail necessary to articulate the reasoning and context of architectural decisions.