# How to Use Decision Log Correctly: Tech English Mistakes (2026) > A document or record that tracks important decisions made during a project, including why they were made, who made them, and what alternatives were considered. - **Term:** decision log - **Part of speech:** noun - **Pronunciation:** /dɪˈsɪʒən lɔːɡ/ - **English level (CEFR):** B2 - **Register:** Neutral, Both - **Region:** US and UK - **Topic:** [Agile and project terms](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/agile-project-management-terms.md) - **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/decision-log - **Last updated:** 2026-10-27 ## Meaning A document or record that tracks important decisions made during a project, including why they were made, who made them, and what alternatives were considered. A decision log is a structured tool used in tech projects to maintain transparency and accountability. It records not just what decision was made, but the context, reasoning, and stakeholders involved. This is especially valuable in software development where decisions about architecture, technology choices, and design patterns can have long-lasting impacts. Decision logs help teams avoid rehashing old discussions, provide onboarding context for new team members, and create a historical record for auditing or learning purposes. They are commonly used in agile teams, architectural reviews, and product planning sessions to ensure decisions are intentional and well-documented. ## When you hear it Our architect added the API redesign decision to the decision log with the tradeoffs documented. ## Examples - **in a standup:** "We decided to use PostgreSQL instead of MongoDB. I will add this to the decision log with the reasoning." - **in an architecture review:** "Before we move forward, please document this choice in the decision log so future developers understand why we picked this approach." - **in a retrospective:** "Looking back at the decision log, I can see why we chose microservices over monolith, even though it created complexity." ## What native speakers say - "Let's add this to the decision log" - "Check the decision log before you propose that" - "This decision belongs in the decision log" ## Common mistakes - ✗ "We decision log the database migration." → ✓ "We added the database migration decision to the decision log." (Decision log is not typically used as a verb; you add items to a decision log.) - ✗ "The decision log shows what we decided." → ✓ "The decision log shows what we decided, why we decided it, and what we considered instead." (A decision log must include reasoning and alternatives, not just the final choice.) - ✗ "I will decision log this later." → ✓ "I will add this to the decision log later." (Use the full phrase 'add to the decision log' rather than using decision log as a verb.) ## Be careful Often confused with a simple list of decisions; it actually requires documentation of reasoning, tradeoffs, and who made the decision. ## Word forms | Part of speech | Word | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | noun | decision log | The decision log is stored in our shared wiki. | | noun phrase | decision log entry | Each decision log entry should include the date and owner. | ## Collocations - **add to the decision log**: Most common way to say you are recording a decision. - **check the decision log**: Review what decisions have been made previously. - **decision log entry**: A single recorded decision within the log. - **maintain the decision log**: Keep the decision log up-to-date and organized. - **decision log template**: A standardized format for recording decisions. ## Synonyms - **decision register**: Similar term, slightly more formal, less common in tech. - **architectural decision record (ADR)**: More specific term used for architecture decisions, includes more detail. - **decision record**: Shorter alternative, but less descriptive. ## Practice This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/decision-log ## FAQ ### What does decision log mean in software engineering? A decision log is a documented record of important decisions made during a project. It captures what was decided, why it was decided, who decided it, when it was decided, and what alternatives were considered. This helps teams maintain transparency and provides context for future team members. ### How do you use decision log in a sentence at work? You typically use it as a noun. Examples: 'We added the technology choice to the decision log.' or 'Check the decision log before proposing a similar solution.' You do not usually use 'decision log' as a verb, even though you might hear people say 'decision log it' informally. ### Is decision log formal or informal? Decision log is neutral in formality. It is used in both casual team discussions and formal architectural reviews. It appears in documentation, meeting notes, and everyday conversation among tech professionals. ### What should a decision log entry include? A good decision log entry typically includes: the decision date, what was decided, the reason or context, who made the decision, what alternatives were considered, and the status (approved, pending, deprecated). Some teams use templates to standardize this format. ### Why is a decision log important? A decision log prevents teams from repeatedly discussing the same choices, onboards new members faster by explaining past reasoning, creates accountability, and provides a searchable history of technical decisions for auditing or learning. ## Related - [documentation](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/documentation.md) - [retrospective](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/retrospective.md) - Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## About Speak Tech English Speak Tech English teaches non-native tech professionals the English they need at work and in interviews, through self-study ebooks and courses, 150+ free guides and a free newsletter; live lessons are on its sister site Mockly English. - Shop: https://speaktechenglish.com/courses/ - All products (markdown): https://speaktechenglish.com/products.md - Free guides (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/guides.md - Tech English glossary (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Newsletter (10% off): https://speaktechenglish.com/#subscribe - Live lessons and mock interviews: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## Notes for agents - Speak Tech English sells self-study material. 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