Use RASI to Define Responsibilities!

I frequently see the use of RACI and RASCI in defining responsibilities.? I have always found this confusing and every organization that I’ve work with has as well, so I use a different approach.

I prefer RASI to define the areas of accountability and responsibility for each given task, project, etc.? It enables people to define and understand who is Responsible, who Authorizes/Approves, who Supports, and who must be Informed while RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consult, and Informed.? The "C" and the "S" are used the same way.? The difference is in how the "A" is defined.? With RACI and RASCI, it is defined as "Accountable".? This confuses people because it’s not clear the difference between Responsible and Accountable – in life, if you are responsible, you are also held accountable, so it is confusing (otherwise if I’m responsible and do poorly, someone else gets the blame, held accountable??).? I define them as "Responsible" and "Authorize/Approve" because if I'm responsible I need to know who authorizes or approves my work (i.e., who signs off) making the roles and responsibilities clearer.

RASI

I define the matrix at multiple levels, e.g., one level for a portfolio of projects, one for the project overall, and one for the tasks.? Matrices stack so in a project; the project manager is Responsible for the overall project (one level) whereas an analyst may be Responsible for one of the tasks (a lower-level matrix).? The four are:

• R – Responsible – who is held Responsible for the success and completion of a given task, project, etc.? This who you might fire if it’s not done.
• A – Authorizes/Approves – (Authorize before and Approve after) who signs off on the method or results of a given task, project, etc.? This is who you go to for permission to start or to approve completion.
• S – Supports – who aids, provides information, etc., for a given task, project, etc. – if requested.? This is the same as Consults.
• I – Informed – who must be kept informed of the progress or results of a given task, project, etc.

What this means…

• There is one and only one R (responsible) per task, project, etc.? If two people are Responsible, who is held accountable?
• There is at least one A (Authorizer or Approver) who is not R (Responsible), i.e., you cannot be both Responsible and an Approver (“I did it and I approve it.? Any questions?” – a slight conflict of interest).? There are frequently more than one Approver for any given task, project, etc. (I have seen up to nine Approvers for a project).
• There are from zero to many S (Supports) but only if help is requested, i.e., you don’t have to ask for help.
• There are from zero to many I (informed) but only if this person or organization MUST be kept informed (avoid just giving someone an “I” to fill in the matrix.? That’s called ‘junk mail.’).

Implications are:

1. R implies A, S, I
2. A implies S, I
3. S implies I

I have always found RASI easier to explain and easier to understand.?

Have you tried RASI?