Learning objective
By the end of this lesson, you can assign an Accountable role only where a real acceptance or decision mechanism exists.
Why it matters
Adding A to a cell does not create budget, delegation, competence or risk authority. A false assignment can make a chart look complete while the real decision remains unresolved.
Core concept: outcome, authority, rehearsal
For every important row:
- write an observable deliverable or decision;
- assign who performs the work (R);
- identify who can accept the result or decide (A);
- verify that authority against policy or operating agreement;
- define necessary input before (C) and information after (I);
- rehearse a normal case and an exception.
If no role has authority, escalate. Do not invent A to satisfy a formatting rule.
Visual explanation
Worked example
Five teams are asked to “jointly approve” an AI service-desk launch. The group separates security acceptance, legal acceptance and the service release into distinct decision rows. Each has the role required by policy. Operations and IT prepare evidence; specialists are consulted where they do not own the decision.
The matrix exposes one gap: nobody holds service-release authority for this product. The sponsor resolves the delegation before launch.
Common mistake
Mistake: several A assignments used as a symbol of collaboration.
Collaboration can involve many R and C roles. Accountability needs a clear acceptance mechanism or an explicit joint-decision rule outside the cell.
Quick check
A row has no role authorised to accept the result. What should happen?
A. Give A to the most senior attendee.
B. Escalate and resolve the authority gap.
C. Mark everyone A.
D. Remove the row.
Answer: B. RACI reveals the problem but cannot create delegation.
Practical prompt
Take one stalled approval. Rewrite it as an observable decision, name R and the proposed A, then cite the delegation or escalation path that validates A.
Summary
- Rows are outcomes or decisions, not topics.
- R does work; A accepts or decides.
- Authority must exist outside the chart.
- Scenario rehearsal exposes hidden gaps.
Next lesson
Use Decision Matrix for auditable option comparison, then record the authorised decision and conditions in a decision log.