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RACI Chart Template
RACI chart template with rules for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed, two filled examples (onboarding, HRIS rollout) and a blank grid.
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What you get
- Clear definitions of R, A, C and I with the rules that make a RACI useful
- A filled RACI for new-hire onboarding: 12 activities across 6 roles
- A filled RACI for a non-HR project: rolling out a new HRIS module
- A blank 15-row grid and a row-by-row validation checklist
- A comparison of RACI with RASCI, DACI and RAPID
Template preview
A preview of the structure. Download the PDF or CSV for the complete, ready-to-use version.
RACI definitions
| Letter | Role | Meaning | Rule of thumb |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | Responsible | Does the work to complete the activity | At least one per row; can be several |
| A | Accountable | Owns the outcome, signs off and answers for it | Exactly one per row; must have authority to decide |
| C | Consulted | Gives input before or during the work (two-way) | Only people whose input can change the result |
| I | Informed | Told about the outcome after (one-way) | Keep the list short; a status update is enough |
One person can be both A and R for a task (write 'A/R'). That is common for small tasks. What causes trouble is two A's on one row, or no A at all.
Example 1: New-hire onboarding
Roles: HM = Hiring manager, Rec = Recruiter, HR = HR generalist, IT = IT support, Pay = Payroll, Bud = Onboarding buddy.
| Activity | HM | Rec | HR | IT | Pay | Bud |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approve and send offer letter | A | R | C | I | ||
| Run background check | I | A/R | C | |||
| Send welcome email and first-day details | C | A/R | I | |||
| Collect I-9, W-4 and state forms | A/R | C |
Example 2: HRIS time-off module rollout
Roles: Spon = Sponsor (VP People), PM = Project manager, HRIS = HRIS analyst, Pay = Payroll lead, Mgr = People managers, Leg = Employment counsel.
| Activity | Spon | PM | HRIS | Pay | Mgr | Leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approve scope and budget | A | R | C | C | ||
| Map current PTO and sick leave policies by state | I | A | R | C | C | |
| Configure accrual rules | A | R | C | |||
| Test payroll integration | A | R | R |
Blank RACI chart
Write role names in the header. Use R, A, C, I or A/R in each cell.
| Activity / decision | Role 1 | Role 2 | Role 3 | Role 4 | Role 5 | Role 6 |
|---|
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How to use this template
- 1
List activities as verbs
Write each row as a task or decision with a clear end point, such as 'approve offer' or 'ship laptop', not a vague area like 'IT'. Ten to twenty rows is typical.
- 2
List roles, not names
Use roles as columns (Hiring manager, Recruiter, IT) so the chart survives staff changes. Add a name key at the bottom if helpful.
- 3
Assign exactly one A per row
Start with who is Accountable, then who does the work (R), then who must give input before (C) and who needs to know after (I).
- 4
Check rows and columns
Run the validation checklist: every row has one A and at least one R; no column is all A's or empty; C's are kept to people whose input changes the outcome.
- 5
Review it with everyone on it
Walk through the chart in a 30-minute meeting and get agreement. A RACI nobody agreed to is just an opinion.
Frequently asked questions
What is a RACI chart?
A RACI chart is a responsibility matrix that lists activities or decisions down the side and roles across the top. Each cell says whether the role is Responsible (does the work), Accountable (owns the outcome), Consulted (gives input first) or Informed (told afterwards). It makes ownership explicit before work starts.
Can there be more than one Accountable person?
No. Each activity should have exactly one A. If two people think they own the outcome, decisions stall and problems fall between them. There can be several R's doing the work, and one person can be both A and R on the same task.
What is the difference between Responsible and Accountable?
Responsible is whoever does the work. Accountable is whoever answers for the result and signs off, usually with the authority to approve or reject. A recruiter may be responsible for sending an offer letter while the hiring manager is accountable for approving it.
How do you make a RACI chart in Excel or Google Sheets?
Put activities in column A and roles in row 1, then enter R, A, C or I in each cell. Add a COUNTIF check at the end of each row, for example =COUNTIF(B2:G2,"*A*"), and use conditional formatting to highlight any row where the count is not exactly 1.
When should you use RACI instead of DACI or RAPID?
Use RACI for processes and projects with many tasks, such as onboarding or a system rollout. Use DACI or RAPID for a single important decision where you need to be clear about who recommends, who has a say or veto, and who makes the final call.