RACI Matrix Builder

What is a RACI Matrix?

RACI is a responsibility assignment matrix that clarifies roles and responsibilities:

• R = Responsible (Does the work)
• A = Accountable (Owns the outcome, final decision maker)
• C = Consulted (Provides input before action)
• I = Informed (Notified after action)

When to Use RACI

• Designing a Target Operating Model (TOM)
• Clarifying roles after reorganisation
• Resolving accountability confusion
• Onboarding new teams or systems
• Preparing for regulatory reviews

RACI Matrix Template

Example: Trade Lifecycle - FX Spot Trade

Legend:

• R = Responsible
• A = Accountable
• C = Consulted
• I = Informed
• - = Not involved

RACI Rules

Golden Rules

1. One Accountable per Activity: Each row must have exactly ONE 'A'
2. At Least One Responsible: Each row must have at least ONE 'R'
3. Accountable Can Be Responsible: 'A' and 'R' can be the same person for small teams
4. Consult Before, Inform After: 'C' = two-way dialogue; 'I' = one-way notification

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Multiple Accountables: Diffuses responsibility No Accountable: Creates orphaned processes Too Many Consulteds: Slows decision-making Everyone Informed: Creates email overload

RACI Template (Blank)

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: List Activities

Down the left column, list all:

• Key process steps
• Decisions that need to be made
• Escalation scenarios
• Reporting requirements

Step 2: Identify Roles

Across the top, list:

• Job titles or team names (not individual names)
• Systems (for automated activities)
• External parties (regulators, auditors)

Step 3: Assign RACI

For each activity, ask:

1. Who owns the outcome? → A
2. Who does the work? → R
3. Who needs to be consulted before? → C
4. Who needs to know after? → I

Step 4: Validate

Check:

• Does every activity have exactly one 'A'?
• Does every activity have at least one 'R'?
• Are there too many 'C's? (Consider limiting to 2-3 per row)
• Are there too many 'I's? (Use distribution lists, dashboards)

Step 5: Review with Stakeholders

Walk through the matrix with affected teams. Resolve conflicts.

RACI Variations

RACI-VS

Adds:

• V = Verifies (Quality check)
• S = Signs off (Formal approval)

RASCI

Adds:

• S = Supportive (Assists the Responsible party)

DACI

Used in decision-making:

• D = Driver
• A = Approver
• C = Consulted
• I = Informed

Real-World Example: Change Management

Integration with Operating Model

RACI matrices fit into the broader Target Operating Model:

Strategy
    ↓
Operating Model Components:
    ├── Processes (BPMN diagrams)
    ├── Organisation (Org chart + RACI)
    ├── Technology (System architecture)
    ├── Data (Data flows + lineage)
    ├── Governance (Decision rights + RACI)
    └── Controls (Risk & control matrix + RACI)

Governance Example

Using RACI for Regulatory Compliance

When designing RACI for regulated environments:

1. Segregation of Duties: Ensure 'R' and 'A' are different people for high-risk activities
2. Dual Control: For critical activities (e.g., payments >£1M), require two 'R's
3. Management Oversight: Show where senior management 'A' sits
4. Audit Trail: Document who was 'A' at time of activity
5. Attestation: Link 'A' to regulatory attestations

Common Use Cases

1. Post-Merger Integration

Clarify who does what when two organisations merge operating models.

2. Outsourcing

Define boundaries between internal teams and third-party providers.

3. Automation

Show transition from manual ('R' = person) to automated ('R' = system).

4. Agile Teams

Clarify product owner (A) vs scrum master (R) vs team members (R/C).

Tools & Tips

Best Practices

• Use job titles, not names (people change, roles don't)
• Start simple (5-10 activities), then expand
• Review quarterly and update as org evolves
• Link to process diagrams (BPMN) for full picture

Recommended Tools

• Excel/Google Sheets: Simple, flexible, version control via SharePoint
• Confluence: Collaborative editing, easy to link to other docs
• Visio: Visual RACI swimlanes integrated with process maps
• Dedicated Tools: ARIS, Signavio (for enterprise-scale TOM design)

Next Steps

1. Download this template
2. Map roles and activities for one high-impact process
3. Review with stakeholders
4. Identify gaps, overlaps, and conflicts
5. Update job descriptions to reflect RACI

Need Expert Help?

If you need support designing a Target Operating Model, clarifying governance frameworks, or preparing for a regulatory review, contact our team for a consultation.

Template Version: 1.0 Last Updated: January 2025 License: Free for commercial use with attribution