Scribd
Upload
420 views2 pages

Maximizing RACI Chart Effectiveness

The document discusses RACI charts and how to use them effectively for project management. It defines what RACI stands for (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) and explains that RACI charts allow project managers to clearly define roles and responsibilities for stakeholders. The document advises project managers to check that workloads are balanced across team members and to obtain stakeholder buy-in once the RACI chart is created. It recommends using a RACI chart for more complex projects with many stakeholders.

Uploaded by

Linh Nguyen Vu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
420 views2 pages

Maximizing RACI Chart Effectiveness

The document discusses RACI charts and how to use them effectively for project management. It defines what RACI stands for (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) and explains that RACI charts allow project managers to clearly define roles and responsibilities for stakeholders. The document advises project managers to check that workloads are balanced across team members and to obtain stakeholder buy-in once the RACI chart is created. It recommends using a RACI chart for more complex projects with many stakeholders.

Uploaded by

Linh Nguyen Vu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Getting the most out of a RACI chart

In the previous video, you learned how critical a RACI chart is for creating clear roles and giving direction to each
team member on a project. In this reading, we will further explore the function and components of RACI charts and
how to use them to communicate responsibilities to project teams. 

Definition and structure


Determining who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed on your projects allows you to keep control
of the stakeholders roles on your project. 

Workload balance 
Are there too many tasks assigned to one stakeholder? When you complete your chart, it is a good idea to go back
through and tally the number of Rs assigned to each stakeholder. This can help you identify potentially overloading
one team member with work. Using a RACI chart to determine responsibility for tasks can help mitigate single points
of failure (known as creating silos, where the knowledge and responsibility for a task falls on one person) and allow
you, as the project manager, to delegate tasks and avoid burnout. Maintaining workload balance is a critical part of
project management. It is easy to fall into the pattern of relying on your top performers to keep the project moving
forward. But this isn’t always healthy for the project or your team. If you find that you don’t have the right people to
assign responsibilities to, take a step back and evaluate your team. 

Put your RACI into practice


Once you have created your RACI chart, it is time to put it into practice. You will first need to share your RACI chart
with your sponsors and stakeholders to get buy-in and sign-off. When you get stakeholder buy-in, you will be able to
set clear expectations for your team and ensure that everyone is aligned on their responsibilities. 

You can document your team and stakeholders’ acknowledgment of these expectations through the project charter,
meeting notes, and in the RACI chart itself. Think back to a time when you were expected to do something you did
not agree with, or weren’t clear on. That disagreement or lack of clarity made it difficult to do your best work, right?
Getting buy-in and continually checking in with your stakeholders and your team is the way to avoid this potential
pitfall! 

As you take the time to ensure that each task has an owner identified with the appropriate level of engagement, you
are streamlining your communication and decision-making process over the life cycle of your project. 

When should you use a RACI chart?


If you are wondering if you should use a RACI chart on your project, it is a good idea to evaluate the complexity of
the effort. For example, if you have a very small project team with a small amount of stakeholders, clearly defined
roles, and a short timeline, introducing a RACI chart could possibly slow down the project. However, larger projects,
or even projects that involve a large number of stakeholders, could greatly benefit from a RACI chart. It is always a
good idea to work through the creation of a RACI chart and evaluate the outcome. Even if you do not end up using
the RACI chart, you will have a better understanding of the project, and your effort will contribute to your project
management experience overall.

You might also like