Honestly, I wasn’t sure whether to include this approach in a blog about complexity and agile transformation. Yet, the RACI model can help oraganizations to organize their basic structures when it comes to responsability.
RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. It’s a framework for assigning roles and responsibilities to each task within a project or ongoing process. Here’s how it works:
- Responsible: The person who actually completes the task. Think of them as the “doer.”
- Accountable: The person ultimately answerable for the task’s completion. They ensure the “doer” has the resources and delegate if needed. This is typically a manager or team lead.
- Consulted: Individuals whose input is valuable before finalizing a task. They offer expertise and insights.
- Informed: People who simply need to be kept in the loop about the task’s progress.
Let’s see this in action. Imagine a marketing campaign launch. The marketing associate (Responsible) would create social media content, but the marketing manager (Accountable) would be responsible for approving the content and ensuring it aligns with the campaign goals. The graphic designer might be Consulted for visuals, while the sales team would be Informed about the launch date to prepare their pitches.
By clearly defining RACI roles, companies can:
- Boost Efficiency: Everyone knows their role, eliminating confusion and redundant work.
- Improve Communication: Clear ownership leads to less finger-pointing and better collaboration.
- Enhance Accountability: Knowing who’s accountable ensures tasks get done and deadlines are met.
Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_assignment_matrix
Albrecht Günther 