RASCI Matrix Explained: Understanding Roles & Responsibilities

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RASCI Matrix Definition Roles Responsibilities in a Project RASCI stand for responsible, accountable, consulted, informed, and supportive

What is RASCI Matrix?

The RASCI matrix is a tool used to define all roles and responsibilities in a project, process, or task. Using the RASCI helps the manager to clarify who is responsible, accountable, consulted, informed, or supportive.

Normally, the RASCI is usually presented as a table, with the process steps listed on the left-hand side and the RASCI roles listed across the top. Each process step is assigned a role as the acronym, indicating who is responsible, accountable, consulted, informed, or supporting for that step.

  • Responsible: The person or team responsible for performing the task or activity.
  • Accountable: The person who is ultimately accountable for the completion of the task or activity. This person has the authority to make decisions and is responsible for ensuring that the task is completed successfully.
  • Support: The person or team that provides support to the responsible person or team in completing the task or activity.
  • Consulted: The person or team that needs to be consulted or involved in the decision-making process for the task or activity.
  • Informed: The person or team that needs to be informed about the progress or completion of the task or activity.

The RASCI matrix can be a valuable tool in improving project and process management, communication, and teamwork. It provides a clear framework for assigning roles and responsibilities, which can help to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and objectives and understands what they need to do.

Responsible

Responsible in the RASCI matrix refers to the person or team who is responsible for performing the task or activity. This is the person or team who is responsible for completing the task or activity within the specified timeframe, quality, and standards.

They are responsible for ensuring that the task or activity is completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards, and they are accountable for the successful outcome of the task or activity.

While all roles in the RASCI matrix are important and serve a unique purpose, the Responsible (R) role is often considered to be the most important as they are the ones who are directly responsible for completing the task or activity.

Accountable

Accountable in the RASCI matrix refers to the person who is ultimately accountable for the completion of the task or activity. This is the person who has the authority to make decisions, and who is responsible for ensuring that the task or activity is completed successfully.

They are ultimately responsible for the outcome of the task or activity, and for ensuring that it is completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards.

The Accountable (A) role is also crucial, as they have the authority to make decisions and are ultimately responsible for the outcome of the task or activity.

Support

Support is the person or team that provides support to the responsible person or team in completing the task or activity. This can include providing resources, information, guidance, or other forms of support that the responsible person or team needs to complete the task successfully.

They are not responsible for the task or activity itself, but rather for providing the necessary support to ensure its successful completion.

Consulted

Consulted refers to the person or team that needs to be consulted or involved in the decision-making process for the task or activity. This can include providing input, feedback, or advice to the responsible person or team, or being involved in the decision-making process related to the task or activity.

They are not responsible for the task or activity itself, but rather for providing their expertise or knowledge to ensure its successful completion.

Informed

Informed in the RASCI matrix refers to the person or team that needs to be informed about the progress or completion of the task or activity. This can include stakeholders or team members who are affected by the task or activity, or who need to be kept up-to-date on its progress.

They are not responsible for the task or activity itself, but rather for being informed about its status and outcomes.