RACI vs DACI: Choosing the Right Decision-Making Framework

In brief. The RACI matrix assigns every project task who does it (Responsible), who answers for it (Accountable), who must be consulted (Consulted), and who must be informed (Informed). The DACI model instead serves decisions: who drives it (Driver), who approves it (Approver), who contributes (Contributors), and who is informed (Informed).

Adopting a decision-making framework is essential for running successful projects in B2B SaaS. Such a framework helps define and organise project tasks, identify and assign team member responsibilities, and keep decisions efficient under a clear, objective prioritisation model. In an era of ever more complex projects and ever tighter deadlines, a decision-making framework keeps the project on track and project management consistent. It also prevents common problems such as fuzzy responsibilities, weak decisions, and slow decision-making.

Two models that help with these challenges are RACI and DACI.

What the RACI Matrix Is

The RACI model is a matrix defining team members' responsibilities for each project task. The RACI letters say who does the work, who answers for it, who gets consulted, and who gets informed. It shows who owns each project task and removes ambiguity about team responsibilities.

RACI assigns each team member one of these letters per task:

• R: Responsible — who does the task.
• A: Accountable — who answers for the result and approves it; exactly one per task.
• C: Consulted — who must be consulted before deciding or delivering.
• I: Informed — who must be kept up to date.

What the DACI Model Is

The DACI model resembles RACI but is built for decisions: instead of a doer there is a "driver", the person steering the decision process. Compared with RACI it clarifies better who carries a decision forward and who has the final word. DACI removes ambiguity about team responsibilities and keeps projects running efficiently.

It assigns each team member one of these letters:

• D: Driver — the person steering the task.
• A: Approver — the person approving the task.
• C: Contributor — the team member contributing to the task.
• I: Informed — the person kept informed on the task's progress.

An Example: The CRM Development Project

Here is how the DACI and RACI models could work in a CRM development project:

DACI/RACI model:

• D/R: Project Manager — steers the project, sets priorities, and keeps all team members working together efficiently.
• A: CEO — approves the project budget, the roadmap, and the final results.
• C: Developers — contribute to building the CRM.
• I: Sales lead — kept informed on project progress and on how the CRM will support sales work.

Other Responsibility Assignment Models

Beyond RACI and DACI, other project management models exist:

1. RASCI: like RACI, but adds an "S" for "support" to flag those who support the project.
2. RESPONSIBILITY ASSIGNMENT MATRIX (RAM): a matrix showing each team member's responsibility for each project task.
3. PROJECT ACCOUNTABILITY MATRIX (PAM): like RAM, with stronger emphasis on responsibility traceability.
4. PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK (PMAF): a model blending task management with results management for maximum efficiency.
5. PROJECT ORGANIZATION CHART (POC): a chart showing the project's org structure and reporting lines between team members.

How to Choose Between RACI and DACI

In both models, team members must understand and accept their responsibilities, tasks must be shared fairly, and planning must be realistic and matched to delivery dates. Picking the right model and implementing it well helps projects succeed and keeps ambiguity and inefficiency low.

Free template. Build your matrix with the RACI template: check that every task has a single A, then download the CSV.

When AI agents — not people — do the doing and deciding, the matrix fills in differently: I wrote a dedicated guide to the RACI matrix for AI agents, on who answers for each decision an agent makes.

Frequently asked questions

What does RACI stand for?

It stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed: the four roles anyone can hold toward a project task.

What is the difference between Responsible and Accountable?

The Responsible does the work; the Accountable answers for the result and approves it. A task can have several Responsible people, but only one Accountable.

What is the difference between RACI and DACI?

RACI applies to project tasks and says who does what. DACI applies to decisions and says who drives them, who approves, and who contributes.

What is the RASCI model?

It is a RACI variant adding an S for Support: whoever supports the person doing the task.