Resource Management and RACI

RACI Letters

Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed

A per Task

Only one Accountable per activity

Balancing Tools

Resource leveling and resource smoothing

one A per row · always · no exceptions

Sample RACI Chart

Activity	PM	Sponsor	Dev Lead	QA	Legal
Charter approval	R	A	C	I	C
Sprint planning	C	I	A	R	—
Risk identification	A	C	R	R	C
User acceptance	C	A	R	R	—
Contract signoff	R	A	I	I	C

RResponsible · does the workAAccountable · owns the outcomeCConsulted · gives inputIInformed · kept in loop

how to read this

› Rows are activities. Columns are roles. Each cell says how that role relates to that activity.
› Every row has exactly ONE A. Accountability is singular. If two people are Accountable, nobody actually is.
› Ris who actually does the work. Multiple R's per row is fine — several people can share the doing.
› C is two-way input. Iis one-way information. Consulted expects a response; Informed doesn't.
› Dashes are OK. If a role has nothing to do with an activity, don't force a letter.

Each activity has exactly one Accountable person. Multiple A's is a symptom of unclear ownership. The exam tests this.

R does the work. A owns the outcome. Sometimes the same person, often not. Do not merge them.

Leveling delays tasks to resolve overallocation, which can push out the end date. Smoothing stays within float.

It clarifies roles. It does not give the PM authority to assign tasks in agile self-organizing teams.

One A per row

Accountability is singular. Multiple A's is a red flag that needs clarification.

Leveling ≠ smoothing

Leveling can move the end date. Smoothing respects the critical path.

Responsible for the Turkey

Your uncle cooks the turkey. He is the Responsible. His hands are on the work.

Accountable for Dinner

You are the host. If the turkey is raw, you own the disaster. You are Accountable.

Consulted on the Recipe

Your grandmother is consulted because she knows the family recipe. She is not doing the work but her input shapes it.

Informed When It's Ready

The kids are informed when dinner is served. They do not decide, they just need to know.

R does, A owns, C advises, I hears. One A per job.

reading is not enough, you gotta practice

1,800 practice questions written by certified professionals.