The RACI model brings structure and clarity to describing the roles that stakeholders play within a project. It is a matrix to clarify responsibilities and ensure that everything the project needs done is assigned a "doer."

To apply the RACI model, you list every task, milestone or key decision, then clarify who is Responsible, who is Accountable, and where appropriate, who needs to be Consulted or Informed. The acronym RACI stands for the four roles that stakeholders might play in any project:

People or stakeholders who are the "doers" of the work. They must complete the task or objective or make the decision. Several people can be jointly Responsible.

Person or stakeholder who is the "owner" of the work. He or she must sign off or approve when the task, objective or decision is complete. This person must make sure that responsibilities are assigned in the matrix for all related activities. Success requires that there is only one person Accountable, which means that "the buck stops there."

People or stakeholders who need to give input before the work can be done and signed-off on. These people are "in the loop" and active participants.