PM/EM/TL Roles and Responsibilities using RACI Matrix

Every company desires to increase its output efficiency and better its employee base. Everyone must be given a proper set of duties and responsibilities that they will focus on. By making sure everyone has a defined set of instructions, the collaboration and efficiency of the company are drastically increased. 

The RACI matrix is a tool with a high value to project leads. This tool is very useful when it comes to responsibility delegation, and it ensures that the workflow of members is not disrupted. Overall, the RACI matrix is a valuable tool for project management, process improvement, and organizational clarity. It enhances teamwork, accountability, and efficiency, enabling smoother project execution and better outcomes.

The RACI Matrix: a Brief Overview and Understanding

A RACI matrix is a grid technique used to define the involvement level of an individual or team leader in a project or idea. The matrix is usually represented in a tabular form in which the roles of the individuals are kept in the columns and the tasks of the project are kept in the rows. The intersection between a specific column (individual’s role) and a row (task) is filled in correspondence with the involvement level of that person in that specific task. 

The letters in RACI all correspond to a different involvement level. I’ll briefly explain them in order from top to bottom.

R – (Responsible)

The person or group who is responsible for performing a task or activity. They are the ones who do the work and ensure it is completed according to the agreed-upon standards and requirements. There should be one and only one responsible party assigned to each task. These individuals are the backbone of the tasks they are responsible for, and they make sure that they are performed to completion and satisfaction.

A – (Accountable)

The person who is ultimately answerable for the completion and success of the task or activity. They have the authority to make decisions, provide approvals, and are ultimately responsible for the outcome. There should be only one accountable person assigned to each task. In case of any repercussions, the person accountable will be in charge of facing the consequences and making amends for all the damage.

R & A – (Responsible and Accountable)

Sometimes, a highly qualified person is made responsible and accountable for the specific task that they have been assigned. These people manage the project, pitch, collaborate, communicate, execute, and finalize the projects that they are working on. They take full credit for the work done and make sure that the delivery is made within the proper deadline.

C – (Consulted)

The individuals or groups who need to provide input, expertise, or guidance on a task or activity. They are consulted for their opinions, and their feedback is considered during the decision-making process. They may be subject matter experts or stakeholders who have valuable insights to contribute.

I – (Informed)

The individuals or groups who need to be kept informed about the progress, decisions, or outcomes of a task or activity. They are not directly involved in the execution but need to be aware of the developments to stay informed. This ensures transparency and keeps relevant parties updated. This ensures that there are no disruptions in the workflow due to a lack of communication between the different teams.

Why is it So Important?

Keeping in mind all the complex task designations that the RACI matrix makes easier, it is an integral part of keeping the company’s work efficiency at the highest possible level. It has benefits for every department of the company and can be reviewed in later metrics. To name a few benefits, they are:

• The roles and responsibilities of each team member, including project manager, engineering manager, tech lead, and other core positions are defined, and these people can completely focus on their AoRs (Area of Responsibility) to further leverage their domain of work.
• Since accountability is defined, people will be more inclined towards project completion with all the requirements being met along with all borderline cases taken into consideration. This promotes the delivery of high-quality work with the person being accountable for the success achieved.
• With each team member focusing on their tasks, they increase overall project efficiency, and this increases the company’s output overall. The RACI matrix helps identify gaps, overlaps, or areas where additional resources or support may be needed. It enables effective resource allocation which ultimately improves productivity.

Defining PM/EM/TL Roles and Responsibilities Using the RACI Matrix

Three key positions that formulate the project’s success are Tech lead, Project Manager, and Engineering Manager. In my team we defined these responsibilities with the RACI matrix.