I can't help but to provide the following feedback on your video: 1. RACI should be developed using a OBS v WBS matrix - not RACI v WBS. 2. A = Accountable 3. There should only be one person accountable for a work package but there can be multiple people responsible for it.
Thank you, Running Pro, To respond in sequence: 1. The use of RACI charts has evolved. I don't think I say that you should develop it RACI vs WBS. Traditionally it absolutely was, but now, the flexibility I refer to suggests that the full OBS is available as you 'x-axis). 2. I prefer to use A for Authority, because there are a lot of distinct interpretations of accountability and how it overlaps with or is different from responsibility. 3. This varying interpretation is also true of the word responsibility. You seem to be interpreting it as anyone involved in delivering the WP. I interpret it as the one person who is charged with ensuring it gets delivered. It may be that your comments are informed by a particular methodology or approach to using the RACI chart. I have tried to apply a more generic approach, but I may not have been sufficiently clear in stating that. This dialogue, though, should help readers less familiar wth the tool to gain a deeper understanding. They would do well to compare this video with a later companion video in my PM in Under 5 series: What is a Linear Responsibility Chart? th-cam.com/video/eEHts0tKXog/w-d-xo.html The LRC originates in the UK an RACI in the US. When I first encountered RACI charts, they were constrained to the four RACI roles and, I think (it was 17 years ago) used the term Accountable, as you do.
Hello, and thank you again for your great videos. I have a general question about Project management. I would like to know how I can have access to a real successful project, with its documentation. I know it is the company's intellectual property, but maybe you know one or two that may have gone public. I would find it really inspiring, and helpful, to have access to some real documentation. Thank you very much for your help.
Laura, I'm afraid I don't know of any completed project documentation sets. As you say, it's likely all organizations would keep it confidential - 'to protect the innocent (and guilty)'. Your best bet would be to look for a training program with a comprehensive case study.
You choose. I prefer 'authority' because it's too easy to confuse accountability with responsibility. But what matters is that the users know what you expect of them.
Make sure you get your information correct before posting course content! As per running Pro's comment A = Accountable not Authority! And more than one person can be responsible. So whoever was accountable for signing off on this video needs to take it off!
Ha - Ha Yes. There are as many people who prefer 'Accountable' as prefer 'Authority'. Your hammer has a cross-pein, mine has a ball-pein. (The whole 'Tom-A-to - Tom-ahh-to' thing!) Let me explain why I prefer to use Authority, then we can agree to differ. I hope you will find it helpful, Tim. But it is equally an explanation for less experienced people, who are wondering... 'What's all this about?" or 'Does Tim need to be as rude as he was?' A very large number of people find it hard to distinguish clearly between the words 'Responsible' and 'Accountable'. And I don't just mean the many people who watch my videos for whom English is not their first language. My experience is that this is also true for many native English speakers from UK, US, Australia, NZ, India, Canada... If I take full responsibility for something, then I'll be held to account for failing to do it properly. So, the two are already inter-twined. I prefer to create a clear distinction: the person how is responsible for doing the work and the person who needs to be *ultimately* accountable. And if you want me to be ultimately accountable for your work, you'd better let me check it before it's formally allowed into the world. And if I'm happy with it, then I'll authorize it. In that sense I will have the authority to sign it off: I am the 'authority'. Does this matter? It makes no difference to me which terms you use. It does matter though, that the people who use a tool are clear what the terms mean. My judgment is that 'authority is the better word for more people than not. Maybe I'm wrong. But I do like to think carefully about language. Also, I am responsible for my videos, I'm happy to be held to account for them, and yes... It was I who authorized this video. But no, I shan't take it down. Finally - the value of a tool is in its daily use. Tools get modified over the years. I don't need anyone to prefer the version I use, but I do think it's daft to assume there is one and only one perfect archetype of a tool that's used in thousands of forms in hundreds of countries, every day of the year. PS: I say Tom-ahh-to.
I can't help but to provide the following feedback on your video:
1. RACI should be developed using a OBS v WBS matrix - not RACI v WBS.
2. A = Accountable
3. There should only be one person accountable for a work package but there can be multiple people responsible for it.
Thank you, Running Pro,
To respond in sequence:
1. The use of RACI charts has evolved. I don't think I say that you should develop it RACI vs WBS. Traditionally it absolutely was, but now, the flexibility I refer to suggests that the full OBS is available as you 'x-axis).
2. I prefer to use A for Authority, because there are a lot of distinct interpretations of accountability and how it overlaps with or is different from responsibility.
3. This varying interpretation is also true of the word responsibility. You seem to be interpreting it as anyone involved in delivering the WP. I interpret it as the one person who is charged with ensuring it gets delivered.
It may be that your comments are informed by a particular methodology or approach to using the RACI chart. I have tried to apply a more generic approach, but I may not have been sufficiently clear in stating that.
This dialogue, though, should help readers less familiar wth the tool to gain a deeper understanding. They would do well to compare this video with a later companion video in my PM in Under 5 series: What is a Linear Responsibility Chart? th-cam.com/video/eEHts0tKXog/w-d-xo.html
The LRC originates in the UK an RACI in the US. When I first encountered RACI charts, they were constrained to the four RACI roles and, I think (it was 17 years ago) used the term Accountable, as you do.
awesome vid
Thank you.
Hello, and thank you again for your great videos.
I have a general question about Project management. I would like to know how I can have access to a real successful project, with its documentation. I know it is the company's intellectual property, but maybe you know one or two that may have gone public. I would find it really inspiring, and helpful, to have access to some real documentation.
Thank you very much for your help.
Laura, I'm afraid I don't know of any completed project documentation sets. As you say, it's likely all organizations would keep it confidential - 'to protect the innocent (and guilty)'. Your best bet would be to look for a training program with a comprehensive case study.
Thanks for posting.
Dennis G D you are welcome
Ditto
Who is the founder of the raci chart?
I don't know - I suspect it's one of those things that's just 'been around'.
Authority or Accountable
You choose.
I prefer 'authority' because it's too easy to confuse accountability with responsibility. But what matters is that the users know what you expect of them.
Make sure you get your information correct before posting course content! As per running Pro's comment A = Accountable not Authority! And more than one person can be responsible. So whoever was accountable for signing off on this video needs to take it off!
Ha - Ha Yes. There are as many people who prefer 'Accountable' as prefer 'Authority'. Your hammer has a cross-pein, mine has a ball-pein.
(The whole 'Tom-A-to - Tom-ahh-to' thing!)
Let me explain why I prefer to use Authority, then we can agree to differ.
I hope you will find it helpful, Tim. But it is equally an explanation for less experienced people, who are wondering... 'What's all this about?" or 'Does Tim need to be as rude as he was?'
A very large number of people find it hard to distinguish clearly between the words 'Responsible' and 'Accountable'. And I don't just mean the many people who watch my videos for whom English is not their first language. My experience is that this is also true for many native English speakers from UK, US, Australia, NZ, India, Canada...
If I take full responsibility for something, then I'll be held to account for failing to do it properly. So, the two are already inter-twined.
I prefer to create a clear distinction: the person how is responsible for doing the work and the person who needs to be *ultimately* accountable. And if you want me to be ultimately accountable for your work, you'd better let me check it before it's formally allowed into the world. And if I'm happy with it, then I'll authorize it. In that sense I will have the authority to sign it off: I am the 'authority'.
Does this matter? It makes no difference to me which terms you use. It does matter though, that the people who use a tool are clear what the terms mean. My judgment is that 'authority is the better word for more people than not.
Maybe I'm wrong. But I do like to think carefully about language.
Also, I am responsible for my videos, I'm happy to be held to account for them, and yes... It was I who authorized this video.
But no, I shan't take it down.
Finally - the value of a tool is in its daily use. Tools get modified over the years. I don't need anyone to prefer the version I use, but I do think it's daft to assume there is one and only one perfect archetype of a tool that's used in thousands of forms in hundreds of countries, every day of the year.
PS: I say Tom-ahh-to.