# RACI Charts: The Ultimate Guide, with Examples > Clarify responsibility and reduce confusion. RACI charts help teams figure out who the responsible party is for any given task. Learn more. Source: https://asana.com/resources/raci-chart ## Your guide to RACI charts, with examples Can you identify exactly who’s doing what by when for each task, milestone, and deliverable in your project? If not, you might need a RACI chart. RACI is an acronym that helps teams clarify project roles and identify the responsible party for each task. Whether you've never heard of RACI before or you’re considering creating a RACI chart for your next project, here’s everything you need to know about how to create and use these charts. #### Business continuity plan templates Prepare for the unexpected with Asana's business continuity plan templates. Ensure that your organization stays resilient and operational, even during disruptions. - [See template](/templates/business-continuity-plan?utm_source=article-banner&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=continuity_plan) ## What is a RACI chart? A RACI chart identifies each team member’s role for every [task](https://asana.com/resources/how-prioritize-tasks-work), [milestone](https://asana.com/resources/milestone-chart), and [deliverable](https://asana.com/resources/what-are-project-deliverables) in a project. It clarifies who completes the work, who approves it, who provides input, and who needs updates so everyone understands their responsibilities and how they fit into the workflow. Also known as a Responsibility Assignment Matrix or RACI matrix, project teams use RACI charts to assign roles, [prevent bottlenecks](https://asana.com/resources/what-is-a-bottleneck), and maintain momentum from one task to the next. RACI stands for **r**esponsible, **a**ccountable, **c**onsulted, and **i**nformed. - **Responsible:** The individual who completes the task. This person manages the task from beginning to end and responds to questions about progress, timelines, and upcoming steps. Projects can have multiple contributors, but each task should have only one _Responsible_ role to prevent confusion. - **Accountable:** The _Accountable_ person signs off on the work and owns the final result. This is usually the project manager or a senior leader who confirms that the task meets expectations. There should be only one _Accountable_ role per task. - **Consulted:** Team members who provide guidance, share their expertise, or review work before it progresses. _Contributors_ influence decisions and improve outcomes, and there may be several depending on the task's complexity. - **Informed:** Stakeholders who monitor progress and completion. They don't actively contribute to the work, but they’re aware of status changes because a project’s success will affect their responsibilities or future actions. ## When should I create a RACI matrix? Create a RACI matrix at the beginning of any project involving multiple contributors, handoffs, or decision-makers so everyone understands their responsibilities before work starts. It’s especially useful for complex projects that span departments, involve subject-matter experts, or require multiple approvals. You can also use a RACI matrix when a project stalls, tasks remain idle, or feedback loops slow progress, as assigning roles helps establish ownership and remove obstacles. ## How to make a RACI chart To create a RACI chart, list your project tasks down the left side and place team members across the top row. Fill each cell with the appropriate R, A, C, or I, or use [Asana’s RACI chart template](https://asana.com/templates/raci-matrix) to set it up without starting from scratch. Let’s go over the steps to create a RACI diagram, using a software development project as an example. ### Step 1: List the project tasks and deliverables Start by breaking down your project into specific actions or deliverables. Tasks should give each team member a clear understanding of what needs to be completed during each phase of the [project lifecycle](https://asana.com/resources/project-management-phases). For our software project example, tasks might include: - Define project scope - Design wireframes - Develop front-end code - Conduct user testing - Launch the site ### Step 2: Identify RACI roles and key stakeholders Start by listing everyone connected to the project, including those doing the work, approving decisions, offering expertise, or needing updates. At this stage, you’re only gathering names and functions, not assigning RACI roles. For our RACI chart example, we might have: - **Project Manager**: Oversees the entire project. - **Business Analyst**: Gathers requirements and ensures they’re met. - **UX Designer**: Responsible for creating wireframes and the user experience. - **Front-End Developer**: Codes the website. - **Marketing Team**: Needs to be informed of key launch milestones. - **IT Support**: Handles post-launch maintenance. ### Step 3: Assign RACI matrix roles Now match the participants from step 2 to the specific tasks in your project. For every deliverable, designate one person as Responsible for completing the work, one Accountable for approval, any Consulted experts who provide input, and the Informed parties who receive updates. For our software RACI matrix example, we have: - R: Business analyst - A: Project manager - C: UX designer - I: Front-end developer, marketing team, and IT support. ### Step 4: Review and adjust Review the RACI framework with your project team members. Identify any missing contributors, redundant assignments, or tasks without an owner, and revise as needed. For example, you might consult the backend developer during UX design to verify feasibility. ### Step 5: Share the RACI chart Finally, share the RACI matrix with the entire team so everyone can reference their roles. Sharing the RACI table encourages buy-in by showing each person their responsibilities and how their work supports other roles during different project phases. ## RACI chart example To build a RACI chart, list every task, milestone, or deliverable for your project. Then identify who the _Responsible_, _Accountable_, _Consulted_, and _Informed_ team members are for each. Let’s say you’re updating the homepage on your website. [Project stakeholders](https://asana.com/resources/project-stakeholder) include: - Copywriter - Designer - Head of website - Web developer You want to create a RACI diagram for five tasks and deliverables: - Update homepage CTAs - Update customer story on homepage - Revamp website design - Improve homepage loading speed - Update homepage design ### The RACI chart would look like: **Update homepage CTAs** - Responsible: Copywriter - Accountable: Web developer - Consulted: Head of website - Informed: Designer **Update customer story on homepage** - Responsible: Copywriter - Accountable: Web developer - Consulted: Head of website - Informed: Designer **Revamp video on homepage** - Responsible: Designer - Accountable: Web developer - Consulted: Head of website - Informed: Copywriter **Improve homepage loading speed** - Responsible: Web developer - Accountable: Web developer - Consulted: Head of website - Informed: Copywriter & Designer **Update homepage design** - Responsible: Designer - Accountable: Web developer - Consulted: Head of website - Informed: Copywriter - [Create a RACI matrix template](/templates/raci-matrix) ## Pros and cons of RACI charts RACI charts help organize [roles and responsibilities](https://asana.com/resources/roles-and-responsibilities), but they aren’t always suitable for every initiative. Consider the advantages and disadvantages before incorporating the RACI model into your [project plan](https://asana.com/resources/project-management-plan). **Pros** RACI charts [help teams work more efficiently](https://asana.com/resources/collaboration-in-the-workplace) by clearly identifying who does what and when. - They assign one person responsible for each task to prevent duplicate work. - They minimize confusion during the decision-making process and guide contributors on providing input as the project progresses. - RACI matrices expedite clear communication when roles change between tasks. - They work well in [Agile teams](https://asana.com/resources/asana-tips-agile-teams) that rely on shared input and quick iterations. **Cons** RACI matrices can become hard to maintain if they try to capture too much detail. - They focus on individual tasks without showing how those tasks fit together to move the project forward. - They can grow unwieldy if you list every task, and teams may struggle to see who they should contact for updates or decisions. - They need updates whenever priorities change, especially in [Scrum environments](https://asana.com/resources/what-is-scrum), and can quickly become outdated without a [project management tool](https://asana.com/uses/project-management). ## RACI matrix alternatives If the RACI methodology feels too rigid for your team, consider RACI alternatives that adapt responsibilities for different work styles. These alternatives can be useful when you need more flexibility than the RACI chart provides. - **DACI** emphasizes decision ownership through **D**river, **A**pprover, **C**ontributor, and **I**nformed roles. - **RASCI** adds **S**upportive roles for additional help and resources. - **RAS** simplifies responsibilities to **R**esponsible, **A**ccountable, and **S**upportive - **CARS**organizes work into four roles called **C**ommunicate, **A**pprove, **R**esponsible, and **S**upport to guide stakeholder communication and approvals. - **CLAM** defines leadership and oversight through **C**ontribute, **L**ead, **A**pprove, and **M**onitor roles. - [Read: 3 visual project management layouts (and how to use them)](/resources/visual-project-management-kanban-timeline-calendar) ## Transform your RACI chart into a living workflow Import your RACI chart into project management software and connect responsibilities directly to ongoing work. Asana automatically assigns tasks, visually maps approval paths, and uses AI to draft and share status updates as your team advances through project phases. Everyone can see who owns what, when it’s due, and its current status. Your RACI becomes a real-time source of truth instead of a static document that someone has to babysit. But RACI charts are just the beginning. Discover how [work management](https://asana.com/resources/introduction-to-work-management) gives your team the structure, visibility, and coordination they need to finish projects on time. ## FAQs about RACI charts #### What does RACI stand for? RACI stands for **R**esponsible, **A**ccountable, **C**onsulted, and **I**nformed. These four team roles define who completes the work, who approves the outcome, who provides input, and who receives updates. A RACI chart assigns each role to specific tasks so teams understand ownership and avoid confusion during a project. #### What is the golden rule of RACI? The golden rule of RACI is that only one person should be assigned as _Accountable_ for each task. This rule prevents decision bottlenecks and makes it easier to identify who has the final authority. While multiple people can be _Responsible_, _Consulted_, or _Informed_, only a single person should be accountable. #### Can the same person be responsible and accountable in a RACI matrix? Yes, the same person can be responsible and accountable in a RACI matrix. This often happens in smaller teams or when one person manages both execution and approval. The key point is that the accountable role still carries final decision authority, even if the responsible person is the one completing the work. #### When not to use a RACI matrix? You should avoid using a RACI matrix when tasks are simple, roles are clear, or the team is small enough that responsibilities don't require formal tracking. In these situations, adding a RACI matrix can create unnecessary administrative work. A RACI works best when multiple contributors, approvers, or dependencies need clarity on who is responsible for what. #### Are RACI charts outdated? RACI charts are not outdated, but their value depends on how a team works. Some teams prefer tools or frameworks that update in real time instead of static charts that require manual maintenance. Many organizations still use RACI because it provides a straightforward way to define roles, especially in complex projects with overlapping responsibilities. - [Project management](/resources/project-management) - [Project portfolio management 101](/resources/what-is-project-portfolio-management) Project management Business strategy #### Writer If you manage various initiatives across different teams and departments, you know how hard it can be to capture progress and share results in one place. 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