Risk management is often overlooked in software design, with teams rushing toward a single solution without evaluating alternatives. Using tools like a Risk Register — a simple table mapping probability against consequence — helps teams make informed decisions, document trade-offs, and prepare contingency plans. Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) should capture not just chosen solutions but also rejected alternatives and the assumptions under which decisions are valid. Accepting that no solution is perfect, and explicitly accounting for failure scenarios, leads to more resilient systems and better-prepared teams.
