RACI: The Framework Every Team Needs

Have you ever been in a team where tasks get duplicated, decisions take forever, or no one seems to know who’s doing what? If so, you’ll know how frustrating it can be—and how much time and energy it wastes.

I have a super simple model that I learnt in project management that can help with all sorts of communication challenges as well. It’s called RACI.

What is RACI?

RACI is a simple framework for clarifying roles and responsibilities:

  • Responsible: The people who do the task. There can be several people who are all responsible for different parts.
  • Accountable: The one person who ensures the task is completed. Only one person can be accountable for any task or decision.
  • Consulted: Those whose input is sought to inform a decision.
  • Informed: The people who need to be kept updated, but don’t have a direct role in the task.

 

Why RACI Works

RACI reduces duplication, miscommunication, and delays. It’s especially useful for teams tackling complex projects or struggling with poor communication.

Here’s 2 crucial things to remember:

Only one person can be Accountable: Ever been in a deadlock situation? The business needs to make a decision but people don’t agree and you go round in circles debating things?

Even if you make a decision and it turns out to be totally the wrong choice, sometimes it is cheaper and faster to have made it and learn rather than endlessly running reports to try to make a difficult decision ‘in principle’.

Where there is no one right answer, someone has to be brave enough to make a decision so everyone can learn from what happens next. That’s why you need one person who is accountable for that tough call. They listen, reflect, consult but then have the absolute final say, the Shirley Ballas casting vote if you like so that the show doesn’t go on indefinitely.

Consultation doesn’t equal Commitment: Sometimes people think that when they are consulted on something, the person making the decision will then go with their recommendation.

If you’re consulting someone, it’s vital they understand the role of being consulted – It doesn’t mean their opinion will definitely determine the final decision – that’s up to the accountable person.

Clear communication about what consultation is – and isn’t – can really help limit hurt feelings, bruised ego’s and people feeling they weren’t listened to.

 

Quick Tips for Using RACI

  1. Define roles clearly. Ensure everyone knows their RACI role – and who is accountable for making final decisions after consultation.
  2. Keep accountability singular. One task, one accountable person.
  3. Communicate expectations. Especially for those consulted—make it clear their input informs decisions, not drives them.

We listen. We understand. We are confident that we can create a bespoke solution
that really adds to your bottom line.

The best thing to do is to contact us for a virtual cuppa.