What is a Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RAM) or a RACI MatriX?

A responsibility assignment matrix (RAM), also known as RACI matrix, describes the participation by various roles in completing tasks or deliverables for a project or business process.

How is RAM / RACI useful?

RAM / RACI is especially useful in clarifying the roles and responsibilities in cross-functional/departmental projects and processes.

What does RACI stand for?

RACI is derived from the four key responsibilities: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed. The RACI model is a straightforward tool used for identifying roles and responsibilities and avoiding confusion over the roles and responsibilities during a project.

The acronym RACI stands for:

Responsible:

• People who do the work to achieve the task
• They have responsibility for getting the work done or decision made

e.g.

• Programmer
• Software Developer
• Business Analyst
• Software/Technical Architect

Accountable:

• People who are accountable for the correct and thorough completion of the task
• This is the role that Responsible is accountable to and approves their work

e.g.

• Project Sponsor

Consulted:

• People who provide information for the project and with whom there is a two-way communication

e.g.

• Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

Informed:

• People who are kept informed about the project progress and with whom there is one-way communication
• These are the people that are affected by the outcome of the tasks so these people need to be kept up-to-date

How do I create a RACI Matrix?

Creating a RACI Matrix is a six step process

1. Identify Tasks:
   1. Identify all the tasks involved in delivering the project
   2. List them on the left-hand side of the chart in completion order
2. Identify Roles
1. Identify all the project roles
2. List them along the top of the chart
3. Complete the cells of the chart identifying who:
1. Has Responsibility
2. Has Accountability
3. Will be consulted and informed for each task
4. Ensure every task has a role Responsible and a role Accountable for it
5. No tasks should have more than one role Accountable. Resolve conflicts where there is more than one role for any particular task
6. Share, discuss and agree the RACI Matrix with your project stakeholders before your project begins

Sample RACI Matrix

For a sample representation of a RACI Matrix – please click on the image below.  Note that each task only has one team member assigned as an ‘A’ or an ‘R’.