What is a RACI Chart? Project Uses, Examples & Free Template

Your project’s success hinges on a single crucial factor: clarity.

When we say clarity, we’re talking about crystal-clear instructions on who does what. Everyone involved in the project, from employees to stakeholders, should know their roles and responsibilities inside out.

Any confusion or oversight can lead to misunderstandings or conflicts, derailing your project faster than you can imagine.

That’s where the RACI matrix comes in. When integrated into your project lifecycle (PLC), this simple yet powerful approach spells out project roles and responsibilities, guiding your team toward collaboration and improved outcomes.

Click here to get HubSpot’s free RACI Matrix Template for your team

What is a RACI chart?

A RACI chart, also called the responsibility assignment matrix, visually maps out the roles of every individual involved in a project across four categories: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.

Each letter in the RACI acronym tells you who’s in charge of a specific task or deliverable in the project:

R for those who execute tasks (Responsible)
A for the decision-makers who hold ultimate responsibility (Accountable)
C for the trusted advisors whose insights refine project execution (Consulted)
I for those who track progress or take decisions at every project stage (Informed)

With this breakdown, every project participant knows their responsibilities, reducing mix-ups and driving project success.

What does RACI stand for?

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RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.

Here’s a closer look at each component:

Responsible

The Responsible person executes the task and is responsible for completing it. There can be several people responsible for the same task. Their mission is to perform the delegated task.

Example: Business analysts, developers, content writers, graphic designers.

Accountable

The Accountable person owns the task, approving deliverables and overseesing its completion. There’s only one accountable individual or authority per task. Their mission is to ensure the task is executed properly.

Example: Business owners, project managers, department heads, team leads.

Consulted

The Consulted person provides guidance and knowledge to help complete the task. They advise and share insights before big decisions are made, contributing to the task’s efficiency. There may be more than one individual consulting.

Example: Software architects, content editors, compliance officers, legal counsel.

Informed

The Informed person is kept aware of the project‘s progress but doesn’t actively intervene in its completion. There may be more than one person who fulfills this role. Their mission is to stay updated on the progress of the project or task.

Examples: Project committee members, executive leadership, external clients, customer support teams.

RACI Responsible vs Accountable

The Responsible person is task-oriented, whereas the Accountable person is outcome-oriented.

Interestingly, the same person can sometimes be both Responsible and Accountable for a task. This overlap often occurs in small teams or startups where resources are limited.

For example, a project manager might be planning and executing a project task (Responsible) and ensuring its success (Accountable).