[Term of the Day]: RACI chart
Term of the Day
"Responsible Accountable Consulted Informed"
Definition — What is RACI chart?
A RACI model or matrix, also known as a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) is a way of defining roles and responsibilities for a specific task or activity.
R – Responsible – "The Doer" – those who are responsible for implementing the task/activity.
A – Accountable – "The Buck Stops Here" – The accountable person is the individual who is ultimately answerable for the activity or decision. You have to make sure that only one Accountable person is assigned to each job or deliverables to avoid confusion of accountability. They are also sometimes referred to as the Approver.
C – Consulted – "In the Loop" – These team members are typically the ones who would provide suggestions either on how it will impact their future projects or their domain of expertise on the deliverable itself. This is a predetermined need for two-way communication. Input from the designated position is required.
I – Informed – "Keep in the Picture" – This is individual (s) who needs to be informed after a decision or action is taken. They are not usually asked for feedback or opinions on the tasks or outcomes, but they can be affected by the deliverable(s). Many times, there are several stakeholders in this group. It is one-way communication.
Why RACI?
This brings structure and clarity in describing the roles that stakeholders play within a task/activity. The RACI matrix clarifies responsibilities and serves as a visual of the role each person on a team is playing which is crucial for task completion to go smoothly.