What is DACI? The decision-making framework explained
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What is DACI? The decision-making framework explained
Matilda French
16th September, 2024
5 min read
Matilda French
16th September, 2024
5 min read
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What is DACI?
The history of DACI
How DACI works
Using DACI
The benefits of DACI
Document company decisions and develop accountability. We explore how to use the DACI framework and why you should use it in your company.
Want to make big decisions with a considered approach? Need them driven to completion? As well as a Business Requirements Document, when you need to know the right people are empowered to decide on a course of action for each task, you need the DACI project management framework.
You can easily set up a DACI template on Trello or Confluence, but first, what is DACI, and how does it work?
You can easily set up a DACI template on Trello or Confluence, but first, what is DACI, and how does it work?
What is DACI?
DACI is a project management framework that brings clarity by ensuring projects have the assigned and documented roles of Driver, Approver, Contributor, and Informed. (DACI).
- The Driver is responsible for steering the project or decision-making process. Drivers ensure a decision is made but don't necessarily influence the decision.
- Approvers have the final say in approving the decision. It can be more than one person, but the fewer, the better.
- Contributors don’t make the final decision, but their expertise is crucial. They are subject matter experts (SMEs) who will inform the decision-making process.
- Informed stands for a group that doesn’t actively participate in the decision but will need to know about it, such as marketing, legal, sales, or support.
The history of DACI
DACI is a project management method said to have been developed by Intuit in the 1980s based on the older ‘RACI’ responsibility assignment matrix but with a greater emphasis on decision-making instead of task ownership.
RACI – Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed – is excellent for clarifying who does what, whereas DACI helps define who sits where in a broader hierarchy of roles, with the key addition of a Driver, moving the project forward.
Many businesses switch from RACI to DACI when implementing more complex projects.
You won’t want to use DACI if you want lots of ideas and creative output at the start of a project, but if it’s important to start defining who is responsible for making decisions, DACI can help eliminate ambiguity, and keep bigger projects on track.
RACI – Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed – is excellent for clarifying who does what, whereas DACI helps define who sits where in a broader hierarchy of roles, with the key addition of a Driver, moving the project forward.
Many businesses switch from RACI to DACI when implementing more complex projects.
You won’t want to use DACI if you want lots of ideas and creative output at the start of a project, but if it’s important to start defining who is responsible for making decisions, DACI can help eliminate ambiguity, and keep bigger projects on track.
How DACI works and when to use it
You'll want DACI to make effective and efficient group decisions and avoid confusion and overlap in responsibilities.
Some good examples:
Some good examples:
- Product launches - if you want to launch a new service or feature, you can use DACI to clarify roles. Perhaps a product manager is the Driver, while the executive team will be the Approver.
- Development projects - your DACI Driver may be the IT Lead and your sales team, which most want the new technology, be Informed.
- Events - DACI can also be used in events that could get out of control or where certain people are accountable. While HR may drive the event, perhaps the CEO is ultimately responsible.
How to use DACI framework
Create a project plan and workflow
To execute the plan, ask and document the answers to questions such as:
- How will information flow between the Contributors and Approvers?
- How will the Driver request feedback from Contributors?
- Will the Driver brief the Approvers and Contributors together?
- When will the project kick-off meeting take place, and who will attend?
- What project management software will be used?
Create a DACI matrix
- Create a DACI matrix as a visual representation of your project and task-level DACI roles.
- Include all the key project stakeholders and their assigned roles and responsibilities, and have this in your company documentation.
What are the benefits of DACI for your company?
Implementing DACI in your organisation can lead to several significant benefits:
- Clarity - with DACI, everyone knows their role in the decision-making process, which reduces confusion.
- Efficiency - DACI helps teams make decisions faster without sacrificing quality thanks to clearly defined roles.
- Better decisions - by involving the right people, those with the expertise and the authority, DACI ensures that decisions are well-informed.
- Enhanced communication - DACI’s structure ensures that all relevant stakeholders are kept in the loop, including teams like marketing and legal, who may need awareness to prepare for a new launch.
Make better, faster decisions in Confluence
Navigate complex decisions and get the right people involved at the right time. Our engaging DACI template for Confluence gets you started quicker.
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Written by
Matilda French
Content Marketing Intern
Matilda has a BA Hons degree in Creative Writing and Film and Screen Studies and is using her love of storytelling to create informative content that helps workers get the most out of their digital tools.
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