Responsibility assignment matrix

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A Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM), (also known as RACI matrix or Linear Responsibility Chart (LRC)), describes the participation by various roles in completing tasks or deliverables for a project or business process. It is especially useful in clarifying roles and responsibilities in cross-functional/departmental projects and processes.

The matrix is typically created with a vertical axis (left-hand column) of tasks (e.g., from a work breakdown structure WBS) or deliverables (e.g., from a product breakdown structure PBS), and a horizontal axis (top row) of roles (e.g., from an organizational chart) - as illustrated in the image of an example responsibility assignment (or RACI) matrix.

It is important to note the distinction between a role and individually identified people: a role is a descriptor of an associated set of tasks; may be performed by many people; and one person can perform many roles. For example, an organisation may have 10 people who can perform the role of project manager, although traditionally each project only has one project manager at any one time; and a person who is able to perform the role of project manager may also be able to perform the role of business analyst and tester.

The responsibility assignment matrix is commonly known as a RACI matrix. RACI (pronounced /ˈreɪsi/) is an acronym derived from the four key responsibilities most typically used:

Responsible

Those who do the work to achieve the task. There is typically one role with a participation type of Responsible, although others can be delegated to assist in the work required (see also RASCI below for separately identifying those who participate in a supporting role).

Accountable (also Approver or final Approving authority)

Those who are ultimately accountable for the correct and thorough completion of the deliverable or task, and the one to whom Responsible is accountable. In other words, an Accountable must sign off (Approve) on work that Responsible provides. There must be only one Accountable specified for each task or deliverable.

Consulted

Those whose opinions are sought; and with whom there is two-way communication.

Informed

Those who are kept up-to-date on progress, often only on completion of the task or deliverable; and with whom there is just one-way communication.

Very often the role that is Accountable for a task or deliverable may also be Responsible for completing it (indicated on the matrix by the task or deliverable having a role Accountable for it, but no role Responsible for its completion, i.e. it is implied). Outside of this exception, it is generally recommended that each role in the project or process for each task receive, at most, just one of the participation types. Where more than one participation type is shown, this generally implies that participation has not yet been fully resolved, which can impede the value of this technique in clarifying the participation of each role on each task.

Contents 1 Alternatives 1.1 RASCI (RASIC) 1.2 RACI-VS (VARISC) 1.3 RACIO (CAIRO) 1.4 DACI 1.5 RSI 1.6 PARIS 2 Variations 2.1 RACI (alternative scheme) 2.2 RACI (decisions) 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Alternatives

There are a number of alternatives to the RACI participation types:

[edit] RASCI (RASIC)

This is an expanded version, based on the standard RACI, breaking the Responsible participation into:

Responsible

Those who are responsible for the task, ensuring that it is done as per the Approver.

Support

Resources allocated to Responsible. Unlike Consulted, who may provide input to the task, Support will assist in completing the task.

[edit] RACI-VS (VARISC)

This is an expanded version, based on the standard RACI, with two additional participation types:

Verifier

Those who check whether the product meets the acceptance criteria set forth in the product description.

Signatory

Those who approve the Verify decision and authorize the product hand-off. It seems to make sense that the Signatory should be the party with the Accountable for its successor.

[edit] RACIO (CAIRO)

This is an expanded version, based on the standard RACI, with one additional participation type.

Out of the Loop (or Omitted)

Designating individuals or groups who are specifically not part of the task. Specifying that a resource does not participate can be as beneficial to a task's completion as specifying those who do participate.

[edit] DACI

Another version that has been used to centralize decision making, and clarify who can re-open discussions.

Driver

A single Driver of overall project like the person steering a car.

Approver

One or more Approvers who make most project decisions are responsible if it fails.

Contributors

Are the worker-bees who are responsible for deliverables; and with whom there is two-way communication.

Informed

Those who are impacted by the project and are provided status and informed of decisions; and with whom there is one-way communication.

[edit] RSI

A version used by the Project Management Institute^[1]:

Responsible

These people are the doers of the work. They must complete the task or objective or make the decision. Several people can be jointly responsible.

Sponsor

This person is the owner of the work. He or she must sign off or approve when the task, objective or decision is complete. This person must make sure that responsibilities are assigned in the matrix for all related activities. There is only one person accountable, which means that the buck stops there.

Informed

These people need to be kept in the picture. They need updates on progress or decision, but they do not need to be formally consulted, nor do they contribute directly to the task or decision.

[edit] PARIS

Another alternative:

Primary

The role mainly responsible to complete a task

Assigned

One or more additional roles that are assigned to support the primary role

Review required

Those who should be consulted once work has been completed, e.g. checking for compliance with standards, etc.

Input required

Those who should be consulted as work is prepared, i.e. the driving input

Signature required

Those who need to signed off on work, and are therefore the approver or accountable role

[edit] Variations

There are also a number of variations to the meaning of RACI participation types:

[edit] RACI (alternative scheme)

There is an alternative coding, less widely published but used by some practitioners and process mapping software, which modifies the application of the R and A codes of the original scheme. The overall methodology remains the same but this alternative avoids potential confusion of the terms Accountable and Responsible — understood by management professionals but not always so clearly differentiated by others:

Responsible

Those responsible for the performance of the task. There should be exactly one person with this assignment for each task.

Assists

Those who assist completion of the task.

Consulted

Those whose opinions are sought; and with whom there is two-way communication.

Informed

Those who are kept up-to-date on progress; and with whom there is one-way communication.

[edit] RACI (decisions)

This alternative is focused only on documenting who has the authority to make which decisions. May be suitable for use within a small work group.

Recommends

Responsible to Recommend an answer to the decision.

Approves

Authorized to Approve an answer to the decision.

Consulted

Those whose opinions are sought; and with whom there is two-way communication.

Informed

Those who are informed after the decision is made; and with whom there is one-way communication.

[edit] References

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2009)

[edit] External links

• Comprehensive Series on RACI
• Project Management Institute