Project Management guide · Planning and scope
RACI Matrix (Responsibility Assignment Matrix) With Example
A RACI matrix, a type of responsibility assignment matrix, clarifies who does what for each task or deliverable. It prevents gaps, overlaps and confusion about decision-making.
Key takeaways
- RACI clarifies Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed.
- Only one Accountable per task.
- Use Cs and Is sparingly.
What RACI means
| Letter | Role | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| R | Responsible | Does the work |
| A | Accountable | Owns the outcome and signs off; only one per task |
| C | Consulted | Gives input before decisions (two-way) |
| I | Informed | Kept up to date (one-way) |
Example
| Deliverable | Sponsor | Project manager | Designer | Developer | Marketing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requirements | A | R | C | C | C |
| Website design | I | A | R | C | C |
| Development | I | A | C | R | I |
| Launch plan | A | R | I | I | C |
How to build a RACI
- List deliverables or tasks down the side.
- List roles or people across the top.
- Assign one A per row.
- Assign at least one R per row.
- Add C and I sparingly.
- Review with everyone involved.
Variants
- RASCI: adds Supportive.
- RACI-VS: adds Verifier and Signatory.
- DACI: Driver, Approver, Contributors, Informed, used for decisions.
Free templates for this topic
Frequently asked questions
What does RACI stand for?
Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed.
Can a task have more than one Accountable in a RACI matrix?
No. Only one person should be accountable.
Can someone be both R and A in a RACI matrix?
Yes, often for smaller tasks.
What is a responsibility assignment matrix?
A grid mapping work to roles; RACI is the most common type.
When should you create a RACI?
During planning, after the WBS is defined.
What is the difference between Consulted and Informed in RACI?
Consulted gives input before decisions; Informed is told afterwards.
Is RACI used in Agile?
Less formally, but it can clarify roles outside the team, such as approvals.
How is RASCI different from RACI?
RASCI is RACI plus Supportive, for people who help the Responsible person.
What are common RACI mistakes?
Too many Cs, no clear A, or one person with too many Rs.
Where is the RACI kept?
In the project plan or a shared document everyone can see.