RACI Matrix Exercise
Definition: RACI stands for responsible, accountable, consulted, and informed. A RACI matrix is a formal way of documenting the role of each
stakeholder/participant when multiple parties are involved in a project or business process.
Definition of Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed
Role
Role Code
Responsible
Accountable
Consulted
R
A
C
Informed
I
Definition
This role completes the actual work and owns the problem; this role is the “Doer.” There can be multiple R’s.
This role approves the completed work and is held accountable for it. “The bucks stop here.” There should only be one A.
This role has information and/or capability to complete the work. This role is “in the loop” as two-way communication
occurs, usually between the “C” and the “R”. There can be multiple C’s.
This role is to be informed of progress and results. This role receives one-way communication, usually from the R. This
role is “kept in the picture” but is not involved in creating it.
Exercise: Assume your district has never had formal hardware standards for end-user equipment (e.g. desktops, laptops, Blackberries, etc.) and has
decided to develop them. Fill in the chart below with R, A, C, or I using the following definitions below. Use the blank columns as necessary if there
are others who should be included in the matrix.
Task
Develop draft
hardware
standards
Review and
comment on
standards
Approve
standards
Communicate
standards to
staff
Enforce
standards
Superintendent
CTO/IT
Director
IT
Applications
Manager
Network
Manager
District
Tech
Support
Business
Office
Site
Principals
Teachers
Site
Secretaries
Site Tech
Support
RACI Matrix Exercise
Once the RACI matrix has been chosen and filled in, the project manager can conduct vertical and horizontal analyzes to see if the matrix is balanced. The project manager should
at the minimum ask:
1. Are there too many Rs or As which could ignite a turf war?
2. Is a task missing a R or an A, sending up a red flag that something may fall through the cracks?
2. Are there too many Cs which could put the project schedule into extra innings with the time required to solicit everybody's input?
4. Are there enough Is so that the people involved in the next phase of the project can begin working without having tocrash the project schedule?