RACI: A Simple Fix For Messy Project Roles
by John Gross
Are your projects bogged down by unclear roles, rework, or finger-pointing? A RACI can cut through the noise and confusion.
RACI is a straightforward project management tool that clarifies who does what by assigning one of four roles to each task: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. Also called a Responsibility Assignment Matrix, a RACI eliminates ambiguity, speeds up execution, and reduces drama.
Here’s what each role means:
- Responsible – The person (or people) who do the work.
- Accountable – The single decision-maker who owns the outcome.
- Consulted – Those who provide input before action is taken.
- Informed – Those who need to stay in the loop but don’t need to weigh in.
Building a RACI is simple. Down the left side of a page, list your project tasks. Across the top, list R, A, C, and I. Then work as a team to fill in who plays each role for each task.
A few rules keep the process lean:
- Only one person should be Accountable for each task.
- Limit who’s Consulted and Informed. (Everyone wants to be consulted or informed, but too many voices stall progress.)
Yes, creating a RACI can surface tensions about ownership roles. But that’s the point. By clarifying roles early, you reduce future friction, keep the project moving, and make decision-making cleaner and faster.
A RACI isn’t bureaucracy—it’s a clarity tool. And clarity beats chaos every time.
John Gross is an EOS Implementer who helps small and mid-size businesses stop fighting fires & start growing by helping them take control. You can contact John at John@DrivingChangeInc.com or call 636.667.0579.