Complex projects can make it easy for people to lose track of tasks.
A solid project plan may be in place and you have a great team to help. You can easily get confused about your assignments and involvement. This can lead to confusion, crankiness, and even demotivation in your project team.
Fortunately, these problems can be avoided by creating a RACI Chart.
This article will explain the purpose of a RACI matrix and how it is used for project management. Our Excel template can be used to create a RACI-matrix. You can even integrate RACI roles in your project plan using TeamGantt.
What is a RACI Chart and how do you use it?
What is RACI?
How a RACI model could be used in project management
How to create an Excel RACI Template
How to create a RACI online table in TeamGantt
RACI matrix basics explained
Want to learn the basics? This video will provide a quick overview of RACI uses and definitions.
What is a RACI Chart and how do you use it?
A RACI diagram, also known by the responsibility assignment matrix, is a simple diagram used in project management to map roles and responsibilities.
A RACI chart shows whether project participants are accountable, consultable or informed for the corresponding task.
A RACI matrix can be used to organize a project. It will help eliminate confusion and identify who is doing which at a higher level than simple task assignments.
TeamGantt’s RACI charts feature is shown.
RACI chart example
This sample RACI matrix will give an overview of the roles and responsibilities that are associated with different project tasks.
What is RACI?
RACI stands to Responsible Accountable Consulted and Informed. Each letter in RACI represents a level of task accountability for a project.
RACI chart definition guide
This simple chart will give an overview of RACI meanings and how many people should be assigned to each role within your RACI structure.
RACI role definition Number to assign Responsible Performs this task. Responsible for at least one task. Provides input based on how it will impact their project work or their expertise in the deliverable. There is no maximum or minimum amount of information. Not to be dragged into every deliverable, but rather kept informed about the project’s progress.
Let’s now look at the acronym RACI in greater detail.
Responsible: This person is responsible for completing the task. Each task requires at most one Responsible party. It is possible to assign more.
Accountable: This person is responsible for delegating work and is the last person to review the task before it’s deemed complete. Sometimes, the Accountable person can also be responsible for certain tasks. You should only have one Accountable person assigned to each task or deliverable. (Note: It might not be your PM!)
Consulted: Each deliverable may be strengthened by review and consultation from more than one member. People who consult are those who offer input based upon how it will affect their future projects and their expertise on the deliverable.
Keep them informed: While they don’t have to be involved in every detail of every deliverable delivered, they should be kept informed about the project’s progress.
Understanding the RACI model: Accountable vs. Responsible
A person can be both responsible for and accountable for a task in a RACI matrix, but they are not able.
