A Project Management Guide for Everything RACI | Smartsheet (2024)

FAQs

What is RACI in project management? ›

RACI definitions explained. RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. Each letter in the acronym represents the level of ownership each person involved in a project will have on an individual deliverable.

A static RACI matrix will become quickly outdated in highly dynamic or agile environments where tasks and roles often change.

Accountable: This person is accountable for the work that the Responsible person does, and signs off on the work. The golden rule of RACI is that only one person can be Accountable for each task.

Not every task or milestone needs a consulted party, but the project manager should consider all possible stakeholders when creating the RACI chart and include as many consulted parties as is appropriate. You should limit this to only necessary input, however.

RACI's shortcomings are rooted in three shaky assumptions: The needs of the project won't change, and so neither will the decision rights. Teams and individuals need clear and specific instructions in order to get work done. All decisions are to be made using the same method.

The DACI model is designed as an alternative to the RACI model that provides teams insights about roles and responsibilities while placing more emphasis on drivers and decision-makers in the team dynamic.

The Cons or Disadvantages of the RACI Matrix

Potential Confusion or Misinterpretation: In some cases, the complexity of the RACI matrix can lead to confusion or misinterpretation among team members. Ambiguities in roles and responsibilities may arise, causing delays, conflicts, and a decline in overall team morale.

In business and project management, a responsibility assignment matrix (RAM), also known as RACI matrix (/ˈreɪsi/) or linear responsibility chart (LRC), is a model that describes the participation by various roles in completing tasks or deliverables for a project or business process.

An Agile RACI matrix is a role-responsibility matrix for Agile teams that clarifies who is responsible for which project components.

Each task must have one R member, but you can have multiple Rs per task. Accountable (A)- This person is accountable for the project. In smaller projects, one person can be both R and A for the same task, but it is better to separate these roles for larger projects.

Can the same person be accountable and responsible in RACI? ›

Here's where it gets interesting—sometimes, the same person or role can be "accountable" and "responsible" for a task. This typically occurs when a task requires oversight and hands-on execution by the same person.

The acronym RACI stands for responsible, accountable, consulted and informed. It brings structure and clarity to describing the roles that stakeholders play within a project, which is commonly used for balancing roles and responsibilities in the Six Sigma methodology.

A role on each task for everyone — you get a role, and you get a role. Everyone gets a role! There should be no blanks on your RACI chart. Even if most assignees are just informed, you shouldn't leave anyone hanging.

When building out your RACI matrix, the following three rules should be applied: Every task must have at least one Responsible party. To ensure clear decision-making, each task should have only one Accountable person. Every team member should have a role on each task, even if it is just to be Informed.

MOCHA splits out RACI's “R” (responsible) into a mix of owner and helper, and MOCHA's “M” (manager) offers a clearer picture than RACI's “A” (accountable). MOCHA also does away with informed and replaces it with approver — a more accurate term for the important role senior stakeholders have.

The RACI matrix is a project role and responsibility assignment chart that diagrams every task, milestone, or key decision to assign team roles across four categories: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.

RACI is an acronym derived from the four key responsibilities most typically used: responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed. It is used for clarifying and defining roles and responsibilities in cross-functional or departmental projects and processes.

At its heart, RACI seeks to bring clarity to project management processes by clearly defining who does what. On the other side of the spectrum lies Agile methodology, a modern approach that has been increasingly embraced by teams across industries. Agile is not just a set of practices but a philosophy.

The difference between R and A in RACI

The responsible (R) and accountable (A) roles might seem similar, but they're significantly different. The responsible (R) role is focused on executing the task. The accountable (A) role owns the task and is responsible for the outcome.