If you've ever worked on a project where no one was sure who was responsible for what, you've probably experienced the chaos of poor role definition. I’ve been there—assignments get missed, people step on each other’s toes, and deadlines start slipping. That’s where the RACI chart comes in.

Having managed dozens of projects, and helped others do so, I’ve noted that there is always one critical success factor (CSF) is adequate project management. In fact, organizations with lack of communication and unfit strategies have a project failure rate of over 60%.

The RACI matrix can be a lifesaver for both small and large projects, a powerful way to improve a project life cycle and enhance its long-term outcomes.

So, what exactly is a RACI model, and how can it help your team work more efficiently? Let’s break it down.

What Is a RACI Chart?

A RACI chart, also known as a responsibility assignment matrix, is a project management tool that defines team roles and responsibilities clearly. RACI stands for:

• Responsible – The person(s) actually doing the work (Content designer, software developer, QA specialist).
• Accountable – The one responsible for the task’s success (Project manager, product manager, team head).
• Consulted – The people who provide input and expertise (Sales team, software architect, QA manager)
• Informed – Those who need to stay updated on progress (Executive leaders, external clients, administrators).

At its core, it’s a roles and responsibilities chart that helps clarify who does the work, who calls the shots, whose opinion matters, and who needs to stay in the loop for each task, milestone, or decision. It effectively eliminates confusion and helps keep teams aligned.

In my experience, an issue in most projects is a lack of understanding of participant roles and responsibilities, not to mention any explicit documentation that supports it. 

Establishing consensus by employing the RACI model almost always gets a stuck project moving again, and enables the key stakeholders to readily deal with the other issues that require resolution.

Why Should You Use a RACI Chart?

In my experience, an issue in most projects is a lack of understanding of participant roles and responsibilities, not to mention any explicit documentation that supports it. 

Establishing consensus by employing the RACI model almost always gets a stuck project moving again, and enables the key stakeholders to readily deal with the other issues that require resolution.

Here’s what makes a RACI chart so effective:

• Prevents responsibility overlap – No more “I thought they were handling it” moments.
• Clarifies decision-making authority – Everyone knows who’s calling the shots.
• Improves communication – Stakeholders know when and how they’ll be involved.
• Boosts accountability – Everyone understands their role in the project’s success.

RACI vs. RASCI

RASCI is another type of responsibility assignment matrix. It retains the four core roles — Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed — but adds a fifth: Supportive. 

The Supportive role in a RASCI chart assists those in the Responsible role. This could involve providing additional resources, expertise, or advice to help the Responsible party on a particular task. 

Organizations that choose RASCI typically do so to account for personnel who, while not directly responsible or accountable, play a crucial role in a project's success and should be recognized as such. Supportive resources include individuals or entities, whether internal or external, who provide consultation during specific project phases.

How to Create a RACI Chart

The most common way to see a RACI chart is in tabular form – with the individuals (or groups) across the top and the list of tasks down the side. Once you have the template, it’s quite easy to reproduce time and time again. 

According to the Praxis Framework “It is created by combining two breakdown structures, the work breakdown structure with the organizational breakdown structure. If required, the work breakdown structure could be replaced with a product breakdown structure.”

If you're ready to try it out for yourself, here's a step-by-step guide on how to create a RACI chart:

1. Identify all tasks and deliverables – Break down your project into major tasks.
2. List team members and stakeholders – Anyone involved in the project should be accounted for.
3. Assign RACI roles to each task – Clearly define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.
4. Share and get buy-in – Make sure everyone agrees on their roles before moving forward.
5. Use a visual format – A simple table or spreadsheet works well. You can also use a RACI chart template to get started.
6. Use version control  –  Implement a VCS, so everyone is looking at the latest version of the chart if you update it.

RACI Matrix Examples

To help visualize how a RACI chart works, here’s a simple example for launching a website:

This is a basic RACI matrix example, but you can tailor it to any project type.

RACI matrix rules and best practices

Simply creating a RACI chart is not enough. You need to ensure that the matrix maps to a successful strategy according to your needs. 

As a rule of thumb, when building out your RACI matrix, make sure that:

1. Every task has at least one Responsible party.
2. Each task has only one Accountable person, ensuring clear decision-making.
3. Every team member has a role in each task, even if it is just to be Informed.

Resolving conflicts and ambiguities in a RACI matrix involves looking across each row and up and down each column for the following:

Stakeholder Workload Balance

Ensure no single stakeholder has too much responsibility (too many R’s). Assess if stakeholders are overly involved—can roles be adjusted to keep the project efficient?

Role Clarity & Buy-in

Confirm all stakeholders agree with their assigned roles and document this in the project charter.

Analysis of Roles in Each Project Phase

Ensure at least one stakeholder is Accountable for each phase, and make sure to clarify decision-making authority to prevent conflicts.

Efficiency & Decision-Making

Avoid unnecessary stakeholder involvement—only include those who add value. Limit Consulted roles (C’s) to avoid slowdowns; Inform stakeholders when possible.

Stakeholder Completeness

Ensure all necessary stakeholders are included; review with a steering committee if needed.

Common RACI Chart Mistakes to Avoid

Even though the RACI matrix is simple, it’s easy to misapply. Here are a few mistakes I’ve encountered (and made myself!):

• Assigning too many Accountables – Only one person should be accountable for each task.
• Neglecting to update the chart – Projects evolve, and your project roles and responsibilities should too.
• Forgetting to involve the team – If people don’t agree with their assigned roles, the system won’t work.
• Overcomplicating the chart – Keep it clear and easy to read.
• Lack of communication –  Hold regular meetings to ensure everyone’s on the same page.

Final Thoughts

Using a RACI chart has been one of the best things I’ve done for my workflow. It takes just a little effort to set up, but the clarity and accountability it brings to projects are invaluable.

Whether you’re managing a small team or coordinating a company-wide initiative, a RACI matrix can help keep things organized and on track. If you’ve never used a RACI model before, I highly recommend giving it a try.