RACI Matrix Templates
Choose a Format
Pick the tool you already work in. Each one opens a ready-to-use version of this template.
Most used
Excel
Best for Most cross-functional projects in Excel
The Standard RACI Matrix in Excel. A four-role grid with task rows, team-member columns, a legend, and a formula that flags any row missing exactly one Accountable owner.
Open Excel version
Google Sheets
Best for Large teams with shared workloads
The RASCI Matrix in Google Sheets. Five role markers (R, A, S, C, I), phase-grouped task rows, a role-count summary, and a workload balance check, all editable by the whole team at once.
Open Google Sheets versionHow to Choose Between RACI and RASCI
Use the Standard RACI Matrix for most projects. Four roles are enough when each task has one clear owner and the distinction between doing the work (R) and approving the work (A) is all you need. Teams of 3 to 8 people running a single project rarely need the fifth role.
Switch to RASCI when tasks routinely involve 3 or more contributors and you need to separate the person driving the deliverable from the people supporting it. A 20 person marketing launch where designers, copywriters, and developers all contribute to each asset is the classic use case. Without the S role, everyone marked R assumes someone else is leading.
Common Mistakes
The most frequent RACI failure is assigning two people as Accountable on the same row. Accountability must sit with one person per deliverable. If you cannot pick one, the task needs to be split into smaller deliverables with clear ownership boundaries.
The second most common mistake is leaving the matrix in a shared drive and never referencing it. A RACI that nobody reads is worse than no RACI, because the team assumes roles are documented when they are not. Review it at the kickoff, update it at phase gates, and reference it when ownership questions arise.
Frequently Asked Questions
The standard RACI has four: Responsible (does the work), Accountable (approves the work), Consulted (provides input before), and Informed (notified after). RASCI adds a fifth, Supportive, for contributors who assist without owning the outcome. Beyond five roles, the matrix loses clarity.
Yes, especially on small teams. The project manager often holds both R and A on planning deliverables. The distinction matters most when the person doing the work is different from the person who signs off. On a 3 person team, doubling up is normal. On a 20 person team, separating them prevents bottlenecks.