Definition
In the first place, the RACI MatrixSee responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed matrix. is a tool used to identify the responsibilities of roles or team members and the activities or deliverables in which they will participate. However, when completing a RACI matrixSee responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed matrix., it is important to ensure that all stakeholders or stakeholder groups have been identified.
Secondly, people are usually clear about the meaning of Consulted and Informed. However, there’s often confusion about the difference between Responsible and Accountable. In fact, even seasoned program managers sometimes confuse the two. Here’s the difference: the responsible person completes the task (does the work) while the accountable person manages it. For example, a developer is responsible for delivering the systemA set of interdependent components that interact in various ways to produce a set of desired outcomes. code. Therefore, the developer is responsible for delivering the systemA set of interdependent components that interact in various ways to produce a set of desired outcomes. code and the developer’s manager (or team leader) is responsible for delivering the systemA set of interdependent components that interact in various ways to produce a set of desired outcomes. code.
RACI is an acronym for the following words:
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R: Responsible: The person performing the work on the task. He/she is responsible for getting the work done or making decisions. Who is responsible for the work?
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A: Accountable: The person accountable for the successful completion of the task. It is also the decision maker. Only one stakeholderA group or individual with a relationship to the change, the need, or the solution. receives this role. Who is accountable for the outcome and the processA set of activities designed to accomplish a specific objective by taking one or more defined inputs and turning them into defined outputs.?
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C: Consulted: The person in charge of contributing to the activity or to provide advice for it. Who is the expert in this field? Who will be of good advice in order to bring the task forward?
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I: Informed: The person who must be informed about the progress of the activity and notified of its’ outcome. Who is impacted? Who must be aware of the progress.
Comparatively, there are some slight variations between the English and the French usage of the matrix
RASCI
As a matter of fact, the acronym RASCI is sometimes used as an alternative where S stands for Support; the person who can contribute its expertise upon completing.
Why use a RACI matrix?
In fact, this matrixA textual form of modelling used to represent information that can be categorized, cross-referenced, and represented in a table format. is also particularly helpful for complex initiatives that require knowing who must be able to decide what to do during each step.
Initiatives run smoothly
- Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.
- Avoids some people not being responsible for anything.
- Prevents several people from doing the same task.
Grants an overview of the initiatives
Presents every participant and their tasks.
Shows activities lacking people and ensure everyone has someone in charge.
No task is neglected.
Allows to monitor deliverables and implement reminder systems.
Enhances team cohesion
- Avoid confusion about ownership and processes.
- It’s easy to train new hires. Since their roles and responsibilities are clearly laid out, they get up to speed more quickly.
- Reduce frictions between employees and management thanks to everyone knowing the scopeThe boundaries of control, change, a solution, or a need. of assigned tasks -and whom to ask questions.
- Efficiency of meetings and agendas and avoid being redundant. A good way to give stakeholders feedbacks.
Template for RACI
Checklist for RACI
How to use the RACI matrix?
How to carry out what you learned with the RACI matrix?
Use Case
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On top of the brief description of the method, access to:
- an explanation of when and how to use it,
- a practical example,
- tips and recommendations for use,
- downloadable checklists and templates,
- references for further reading,
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