How to use a RACI matrix
A RACI matrix answers the question that sinks most projects: who actually owns this? Each task gets one Accountable person, one or more Responsible doers, plus anyone Consulted or Informed.
- One A per row — exactly one person is accountable for each task.
- R does the work — responsible roles carry it out.
- Keep columns few — 4–7 roles keeps the matrix readable.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a RACI matrix?
- A RACI matrix maps who does what on a project. For each task, every role is marked Responsible (does the work), Accountable (owns the outcome), Consulted (gives input), or Informed (kept in the loop).
- What do R, A, C, and I stand for?
- Responsible — the person doing the work. Accountable — the single person answerable for it. Consulted — people whose input is sought. Informed — people kept up to date. There should be exactly one Accountable per task.
- Why use a RACI matrix?
- It prevents the two classic project failures: tasks with no clear owner, and tasks with several people who each assume someone else has it. RACI makes ownership explicit.
- How many roles should a RACI matrix have?
- Keep it focused — usually 4–7 roles. Too many columns and the matrix becomes noise rather than clarity.