What is a RACI matrix?
A RACI matrix is a tool for clarifying responsibilities in projects. For each task it defines who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.
DEFINITION
Unclear responsibilities are one of the most common reasons tasks are left undone or decisions are delayed. The RACI matrix makes responsibilities visible and binding for everyone. RACI stands for four roles: Responsible — who carries out the task. Accountable — who owns the outcome and makes the final decision, always exactly one person per task. Consulted — who is asked and provides input, bidirectional communication. Informed — who is told about results, one-way communication. You build a matrix: columns hold people or roles; rows hold tasks or decisions. Each cell contains R, A, C, or I. A good RACI matrix stays lean: too many C and I entries make it unwieldy. Each row needs exactly one A. When several people have an A, nobody truly owns the responsibility.
CONNECTIONS
Leadership
The RACI matrix formalises delegation: the A (Accountable) is the person delegation is given to. When delegation is unclear, that shows up directly in an unclear or disputed RACI.
Artificial Intelligence
When AI agents take on tasks, they need RACI clarity too: who is responsible for the agent’s output? Who approves? Who is informed? RACI answers these questions for AI systems as well.
Agility
Scrum defines three clear roles as an alternative to RACI: Product Owner, Scrum Master, development team. In hybrid projects, RACI can link Scrum roles with external stakeholders.
KEY POINTS
- RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed.
- Each task needs exactly one A: the person with overall accountability.
- Too many R and C entries make the matrix unwieldy and ineffective.
- The matrix makes decision paths and communication duties visible.
- It prevents tasks hanging in the air or being done twice.
EXAMPLE
A team introduces a new data protection policy. In the RACI matrix, for “draft policy”: the lawyer is R, the data protection officer is A, the HR lead is C, and all department heads are I. For “approve policy”: the CEO is A, the lawyer is R. The team immediately knows who makes which decision and whom to involve at each step.
MISCONCEPTIONS
Can several people share the A for a task?
No. When two people are both A, in practice nobody has overall accountability. Each task gets exactly one A, held by one person.
Is the RACI matrix the same as an org chart?
No. An org chart shows hierarchies. The RACI matrix shows who plays which role on concrete tasks and decisions, regardless of hierarchy level.