RACI Matrix

A RACI matrix (sometimes called a responsibility assignment matrix or RAM) is a grid that maps tasks or deliverables against the people or roles involved in a project. Each cell is filled with one or more letters from the acronym:

• R – Responsible: the person or team that actually performs the work.
• A – Accountable: the single individual ultimately answerable for the outcome and who signs off on completion. Best practice is exactly one "A" per task.
• C – Consulted: subject-matter experts whose input is sought before a decision or action; two-way communication.
• I – Informed: stakeholders kept up to date on progress or decisions; one-way communication.

The tool is widely used in management consulting, government program design, and large NGO or intergovernmental secretariats to prevent the two most common coordination failures: duplicated effort and unclaimed tasks. For junior researchers and policy teams, a RACI matrix is useful when drafting deliverables across multiple desks—for example, a think-tank report involving a lead author, a peer reviewer, a communications team, and a funder.

Variants have proliferated. RASCI adds a "Support" role for those who assist the Responsible party. RACI-VS adds Verifier and Signatory. DACI swaps in Driver, Approver, Contributor, and Informed and is common in technology firms for decision-making rather than execution. CAIRO or RACIO adds "Out of the loop" to explicitly exclude parties.

Common pitfalls include assigning multiple "Accountable" roles (which dilutes ownership), over-consulting (which slows decisions), and treating the matrix as a one-time artifact rather than a living document updated as scope shifts. The Project Management Institute's PMBOK Guide lists responsibility assignment matrices among standard resource management tools, though it does not prescribe RACI specifically.