Developing RACI Matrices for Governance

RACI matrices provide a structured approach to clarifying roles and responsibilities for governance processes. By explicitly documenting who does what, organizations avoid confusion, prevent work from falling through cracks, and ensure appropriate authority accompanies assigned responsibilities.

Understanding RACI Elements

Responsible identifies who actually performs the work or activity. Multiple people or roles can share responsibility for complex activities, but clarity about specific contributions prevents duplication or gaps.

Accountable identifies who bears ultimate ownership for an outcome. This individual approves completed work and answers for results. A critical RACI principle requires exactly one Accountable per activity. Multiple Accountables effectively means no one is truly accountable, creating organizational dysfunction.

Consulted identifies those whose input should be sought before decisions are made. Consultation involves two-way communication where expert opinions influence outcomes. Informed identifies those who need to know about decisions or actions after they occur. Information flows one way without expecting input.

Applying RACI to IT Governance

Governance activities involve various organizational roles. The board or governing body typically approves major policy and strategy. Executive management including CEO and CFO ensure alignment with enterprise objectives. CIO and IT leadership bear operational accountability for IT outcomes. CISO and security leadership own information security responsibilities along with business owners who own data and processes.

For security policy as an example, the board might be Accountable for approval while being Consulted during development. The CISO might be Responsible for developing policy and Accountable for implementation. Business owners require Consultation during development and Information about final policies.

Best Practices

Limit participation meaningfully. Too many Consulted or Informed entries slow processes without adding value. Ensure that Responsible parties have necessary authority and resources. Review RACI matrices regularly, especially after organizational changes. Align RACI assignments with position descriptions to ensure consistency.

Avoid common errors including multiple Accountables, Responsible assignments without supporting authority, and excessive participation that creates decision gridlock. A well-designed RACI matrix clarifies without constraining, enabling efficient governance while maintaining appropriate oversight.