Difference Between Accountable and Responsible in RACI

The RACI matrix is a project management tool used to define the roles and responsibilities of team members. It is an acronym that stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. The responsible person is the one who does the work, the accountable person is the one who is ultimately responsible for the outcome, the consulted person is the one who provides input, and the informed person is the one who is kept up-to-date on the progress of the project.

Key Facts

  1. Definition:
    • Responsible (R): The responsible role is focused on executing the task. The person assigned as responsible is responsible for completing the task or activity.
    • Accountable (A): The accountable role owns the task and is responsible for the outcome. The person assigned as accountable is ultimately answerable for the success or failure of the task.
  2. Focus:
    • Responsible (R): The focus of the responsible role is on the execution and completion of the task.
    • Accountable (A): The focus of the accountable role is on the overall outcome and success of the task.
  3. Decision-making authority:
    • Responsible (R): The responsible role may have decision-making authority within the scope of their assigned task.
    • Accountable (A): The accountable role typically has decision-making authority and is responsible for making key decisions related to the task.
  4. Ownership:
    • Responsible (R): The responsible role takes ownership of executing the task and ensuring its completion.
    • Accountable (A): The accountable role takes ownership of the task and is ultimately responsible for its success or failure.

Definition

Responsible (R)

The responsible role is focused on executing the task. The person assigned as responsible is responsible for completing the task or activity.

Accountable (A)

The accountable role owns the task and is responsible for the outcome. The person assigned as accountable is ultimately answerable for the success or failure of the task.

Focus

Responsible (R)

The focus of the responsible role is on the execution and completion of the task.

Accountable (A)

The focus of the accountable role is on the overall outcome and success of the task.

Decision-making Authority

Responsible (R)

The responsible role may have decision-making authority within the scope of their assigned task.

Accountable (A)

The accountable role typically has decision-making authority and is responsible for making key decisions related to the task.

Ownership

Responsible (R)

The responsible role takes ownership of executing the task and ensuring its completion.

Accountable (A)

The accountable role takes ownership of the task and is ultimately responsible for its success or failure.

Conclusion

The responsible and accountable roles in RACI are distinct and have different focuses and responsibilities. The responsible person is focused on executing the task, while the accountable person is focused on the outcome. The responsible person may have decision-making authority within the scope of their task, while the accountable person typically has decision-making authority for key decisions related to the task. The responsible person takes ownership of executing the task, while the accountable person takes ownership of the task and is ultimately responsible for its success or failure.

References

  1. RACI Responsible vs. Accountable—Key Concepts Defined | Motion | Motion
  2. The RACI matrix: Your blueprint for project success | CIO
  3. Are you Responsible or Accountable? – Solitaire Consulting

FAQs

What is the difference between responsible and accountable in RACI?

  • Responsible: The responsible person is the one who does the work and is responsible for completing the task or activity.
  • Accountable: The accountable person is the one who owns the task and is ultimately responsible for the outcome.

What is the focus of the responsible role in RACI?

  • The focus of the responsible role is on the execution and completion of the task.

What is the focus of the accountable role in RACI?

  • The focus of the accountable role is on the overall outcome and success of the task.

Who typically has decision-making authority in the responsible role?

  • The responsible person may have decision-making authority within the scope of their assigned task.

Who typically has decision-making authority in the accountable role?

  • The accountable person typically has decision-making authority and is responsible for making key decisions related to the task.

Who takes ownership of executing the task in RACI?

  • The responsible person takes ownership of executing the task and ensuring its completion.

Who takes ownership of the task and is ultimately responsible for its success or failure in RACI?

  • The accountable person takes ownership of the task and is ultimately responsible for its success or failure.

Can the same person be both responsible and accountable for a task in RACI?

  • Yes, the same person can be both responsible and accountable for a task in RACI, but this should be avoided if possible. It is best to have one person responsible for executing the task and another person accountable for the outcome.

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