What is an Accountability Matrix?

An Accountability matrix, also known as a Responsibility Assignment Matrix, Matrix of Responsibilities (MAR), or RACI (for the different types of responsibility), is a project management tool and specifically for the management of human resources. It provides the project leader with a tool for identifying the roles, responsibilities, and levels of authority for the specific activities of the project. 

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What is included in an Accountability Matrix?

For the project leader to develop a responsibility allocation matrix, it is necessary to record: 

• project scope information (EDT), 
• time estimation for each activity (schedule), 
• risk mitigation actions, and 
• know the groups or units that will participate in the project.

Once you have all this information, you will have to identify the roles and functions that each of the team members will play within the project so that you can assign each of them to the correct task. 

• R stands for who is responsible for completing a task. 
• A stands for who is accountable for making decisions. 
• C stands for who is consulted regarding decisions and tasks. 
• I stands for who is informed or updated during the project steps. 

The elaborated matrix should connect the project's organizational chart to the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), to ensure that each and every one of the components of the work packages is assigned to someone within the project team.