Quality Minute: RACI

Quality and business performance go hand-in-hand.  There are many proven, simple techniques you can quickly put to use to help improve quality and efficiency in your business.  When you do this, more energy and time becomes available to create, innovate, and focus on your customers.

The RACI chart is one of those techniques.  It's a tool that helps teams align by understanding individual roles.  It helps teams go faster and get results.

Definitions
Responsible - The individual who does the activity
Accountable - The individual responsible for the activity or decisions
Consulted - An individual who may need to be consulted prior to a final decision or action
Informed - An individual who may need to be informed after an action or decision is made

Chart template

[Process Name]	Role1	Role2	Role3	Role4
Activity1	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I
Activity2	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I
Activity3	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I
Activity4	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I	R/A/C/I

I have used RACI charts to get fast, turnaround results on several occasions.  It's remarkable how effective it can be when applied.  In each case, the RACI chart quickly cleared role confusion.  Work got done.  People got happy.

You can learn more about RACI charting in this tutorial published by Michael L. Smith and James Erwin:  Role & Responsibility Charting (RACI)