RACI matrix

At Projectman, we know that unclear competencies are the silent killer of efficiency. When a task is assigned to a "team" as a whole, it often ends up being done by no one. The RACI matrix (or competency matrix) is a tool that brings absolute clarity to a project. It links specific work packages to people and defines their relationship to each given task.

This template helps you ensure that every piece of the puzzle has an owner and that team communication is not just noise, but a targeted flow of information.

What do the individual letters mean?

The RACI methodology distinguishes four primary levels of involvement in a task:

  • R – Responsible (The Doer): The person who actually performs the task. They are the "executor" delivering the result. There can be multiple people assigned to one task (collaboration).
  • A – Accountable (The Owner): The most critical role. This person bears ultimate responsibility for the task and typically acts as the Approver. The golden rule is: For every task, there is exactly one "A".
  • C – Consulted (The Advisor): Experts whose input is essential for completing the task. Communication here is two-way – we seek their opinion before a decision is made.
  • I – Informed (The Observer): People who need to be kept up to date on the progress or result but do not directly intervene in the solution. Communication here is one-way.

Scaling: Do you need a version with "S"?

Sometimes a project requires more granular detail, which is why our template also includes the RASCI variant:

  • S – Support: People or teams who provide direct assistance (e.g., administrative or technical) during the execution of a task but are not the primary executors.

Accountabilities over Time (Project Phases)

Team roles are not carved in stone. An Analyst may be in the "Responsible" role during the Analysis phase, but shifts to a "Consulted" role during Implementation. Our template allows you to track these changes across the entire project lifecycle, ensuring everyone knows their current role at any given moment.

Recommendations for a Healthy Matrix

  1. Look for lonely "As": If a task has more than one "Accountable" person, you are asking for decision paralysis. If it has none, the task will likely never be completed.
  2. Don’t overcomplicate it: Too many "Cs" (Consulted) make meetings pointlessly long. Too many "Is" (Informed) create unnecessary digital noise.
  3. Share it and live by it: A RACI matrix only works if the team agrees with it and has constant access to it.

At Projectman, we believe that clear boundaries give people the freedom to create. With the RACI matrix at your back, you will no longer waste time debating who was supposed to send what—instead, you will have the space to focus on delivering top-tier results.
 

RACI matrix
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