RACI Analysis#

Metadata#

• Name: raci-analysis
• Description: Responsible-Accountable-Consulted-Informed matrix for role clarity
• Triggers: RACI, RACI matrix, roles responsibilities, accountability, ownership

Instructions#

You are an organizational analyst defining roles and responsibilities for $ARGUMENTS.

Your task is to create a RACI matrix that clarifies who does what in a process or project.

Framework#

RACI Definitions#

LetterRoleDefinitionKey PointsRResponsibleDoes the workCan be multiple peopleAAccountableOwns the outcomeOnly ONE personCConsultedProvides input before decisionTwo-way communicationIInformedNotified after decisionOne-way communication

RACI vs. Other Variants#

VariantMeaningWhen to UseRACIStandardMost situationsRASCI+ SupportWhen distinguishing doers from helpersRACI-VS+ Verifier + Sign-offFor regulated processesDACIDriver-Approver-Contributor-InformedFor decision-making

The Matrix Structure#

text

              │ Activity 1 │ Activity 2 │ Activity 3 │ Activity 4 │
              │            │            │            │            │
──────────────┼────────────┼────────────┼────────────┼────────────┤
Role A        │     R      │     A      │     I      │     C      │
Role B        │     A      │     R      │     C      │     R      │
Role C        │     I      │     C      │     R      │     I      │
Role D        │     C      │     I      │     A      │     A      │

Common RACI Issues#

IssueSymptomSolutionToo many RsConfusion, duplicationAssign ONE primary RNo ALack of ownershipAdd accountable personMultiple AsConflict, finger-pointingReduce to ONEEveryone CAnalysis paralysisLimit to essential inputEveryone IInformation overloadOnly inform those who need to knowEmpty cellsGaps in coverageEnsure every activity has R & A

Output Process#

1. List activities - From process map or value chain
2. List roles/people - Who's involved
3. Assign RACI - For each cell
4. Validate rules - One A per activity, at least one R
5. Check balance - Not too heavy on any role
6. Review with stakeholders - Get agreement
7. Document decisions - Capture rationale

Output Format#

text

## RACI Analysis: [Process/Project]

### Scope

**Process/Project:** [Name]
**Purpose:** [Why are we doing this RACI?]
**Stakeholders Involved:** [Who was consulted]

---

### RACI Matrix

| Activity | [Role A] | [Role B] | [Role C] | [Role D] | [Role E] |
|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|----------|
| **Phase 1: Planning** |||||
| Define requirements | A | R | C | I | C |
| Create timeline | C | A | R | I | I |
| Allocate resources | A | C | R | C | I |
| **Phase 2: Execution** |||||
| Design solution | I | A | C | R | C |
| Build/develop | I | A | I | R | R |
| Test | I | A | R | C | R |
| **Phase 3: Delivery** |||||
| User training | I | A | R | C | R |
| Go-live support | I | A | R | R | R |
| Post-implementation review | A | R | C | C | I |

**Legend:**
- **R** = Responsible (Does the work)
- **A** = Accountable (Owns the outcome)
- **C** = Consulted (Input required)
- **I** = Informed (Notified)

---

### Role Definitions

| Role | Person/Team | Responsibilities |
|------|-------------|------------------|
| **[Role A]** | [Name/Team] | [Key responsibilities] |
| **[Role B]** | [Name/Team] | [Key responsibilities] |
| **[Role C]** | [Name/Team] | [Key responsibilities] |
| **[Role D]** | [Name/Team] | [Key responsibilities] |
| **[Role E]** | [Name/Team] | [Key responsibilities] |

---

### Validation Checks

| Check | Status | Notes |
|-------|--------|-------|
| Every activity has ONE A? | ✅ | [Notes] |
| Every activity has at least ONE R? | ✅ | [Notes] |
| No cell has multiple letters? | ✅ | [Notes] |
| Cs are truly needed for input? | ✅ | [Notes] |
| Is are truly need to know? | ✅ | [Notes] |
| No role is overloaded? | ✅ | [Notes] |

---

### Role Load Analysis

| Role | R Count | A Count | C Count | I Count | Assessment |
|------|---------|---------|---------|---------|------------|
| [Role A] | 2 | 8 | 0 | 6 | ⚠️ High accountability |
| [Role B] | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | ✅ Balanced |
| [Role C] | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | ✅ Execution focused |
| [Role D] | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | ✅ Balanced |
| [Role E] | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ✅ Balanced |

---

### Issues & Recommendations

**Issue 1: [Description]**
- Current state: [What's wrong]
- Impact: [Why it matters]
- Recommendation: [How to fix]

**Issue 2: [Description]**
- Current state: [What's wrong]
- Impact: [Why it matters]
- Recommendation: [How to fix]

---

### Governance

**Review Schedule:** [How often to review this RACI]
**Change Process:** [How to update the RACI]
**Escalation Path:** [Who resolves disputes]

Tips#

• A single Accountable person per activity is essential
• The person doing the work (R) is often different from the person accountable (A)
• Don't make everyone Consulted - it slows things down
• Not everyone needs to be Informed - respect their time
• Test: Can we trace a decision from start to finish?
• RACI is for clarity, not blame - frame it positively
• Review RACI when organization changes
• The process of creating RACI is often more valuable than the matrix itself

References#

• Project Management Institute. PMBOK Guide. Multiple editions.
• Chartered Management Institute. RACI Matrix Guidelines.
• Kloppenborg, Timothy. Contemporary Project Management. 2014.