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Software Architecture Guide

RACI Matrix

Explanation

Section titled “Explanation”

A RACI matrix is a table. Rows are tasks or decisions. Columns are people or roles. Each cell holds one of four letters, or stays empty.

The four letters

  • Responsible (R): the people who do the work.
  • Accountable (A): the one person ultimately answerable for the task being completed correctly. This differs from doing the work. The doers are the Responsible ones.
  • Consulted (C): people whose opinions are sought, such as subject-matter experts.
  • Informed (I): people who are kept up to date on progress.

One accountable per task

Some project management theories require exactly one Accountable stakeholder for each task or deliverable. Following that rule gives every task a single answer to “who is answerable?”

RACI and architectural decisions

The Architectural Decision Definition of Ready says a decision should be made only when certain people are known and able to take part. These are the decision makers, the consulted stakeholders and the people affected by the outcome. It suggests grouping them in a RACI matrix.

For a decision, the matrix then answers three questions:

  • Who decides?
  • Who gives input?
  • Who is affected and needs to hear the result?

Roles, not only individuals

The architect is a role. It is not necessarily one person. When you assign R and A for an architectural decision, you can name a role instead of an individual.

Example

Section titled “Example”

A team must choose a messaging product. The matrix has one row: “Select messaging product.”

  • The architect role is Accountable.
  • Two developers are Responsible. They compare the options.
  • An operations expert is Consulted, because their opinion is needed.
  • The support team is Informed once the choice is made.

Each letter answers a question about the decision before anyone starts.

Trade-offs

Section titled “Trade-offs”

The facts here cover only the basic roles and the one-Accountable rule. That rule comes from some project management theories, not from all of them. A matrix shows who takes part. It does not show how the decision is reached.

Checks

Section titled “Checks”
  • Each architectural decision names its decision makers, consulted stakeholders and affected people.
  • The people involved in a decision are grouped in a RACI matrix.
  • Each task or decision has exactly one Accountable party.
  • R and A for architectural decisions may be assigned to a role, not only to a named person.
Section titled “Related”

Sources

Section titled “Sources”