If you know and love the RACI matrix tool, chances are you learned to use it to organize projects. You designate who is going to get the work done (the “R”) and where decisions will get made (the “A”). Sophisticated users combine RACI with Stakeholder Analysis to think about all the people who need to be involved from the beginning (the “C”). Excellent project managers even think through a comprehensive communication strategy for their project (the “I”).
But RACI is a flexible tool that can be used much more broadly. Here are three things you may not have known you can do with RACI.
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Delegate work more effectively
RACI can be invaluable in the dialogue between a boss and their subordinates, or between team leaders and team members. Good delegation means being clear about what needs to be done and who will do it.
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On-board new employees and new team members
Use RACI when you introduce a new member of the team and you can bring them up to speed faster, accelerating their learning curve by 3-6 months.
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Make your meetings more productive
One of the best ways to ensure that your meetings are productive is to make sure that you create clear “action steps” for the follow up work that happens after the meeting. Another is to make sure that the work of the team is evenly distributed—everyone takes some accountability for the next steps. RACI can help by assigning “R"s to the next steps and help you drive action.
Each of these applications of RACI—and more!—are explored in the RACI Masters e-learning course. It was developed after years of developing custom solutions for clients who want an enterprise-wide RACI training program. To preview a course outline and request a custom demo, click the button below.
RACI Solutions has been helping organizations across the globe utilize the power of RACI to transform the dynamic of cross-functional teams since 2007. Whether you are new to RACI or have used it for years, we can help.
Today’s business environment is complex – you may be contending with matrix structures, rapid growth, mergers, multiple locations, virtual employees, and/or digital transformation.
As a result, project teams can get stuck. Let us help you! If you need to learn RACI, we offer train-the-trainer materials and custom workshops. We can help you create RACI super-users. If you already use RACI or another decision matrix, we offer programs that help you become skilled at working across functions – an effective horizontal leader. We help project teams tune up their performance. We help organizations streamline their decision-making.
Our team is comprised of expert consultants, trainers, and facilitators, who can help your teams and their leaders achieve a seamless level of collaboration.
