Responsibility Assignment Matrix

Responsibility assignment matrix (RAM) is typically used to link activities to resources to ensure that the scope's , please consider this simple chart:

ACTIVITIES	George	Glenda	Tom	Susan	Mary	Craig
Investigate	R	A	I	C	C
Design SW	I	A	C			R
UAT Plan	R	A	I			C
Phase Signoff	R	A	I	C	C	C

Two other RAM versions are the RACI-VS format, adding the additional roles of Verifies and Signs, and the RASCI version, adding the additional Supportive role. The definition of each role is listed below:

Role	Definition
Responsible	This role conducts the actual work/owns the problem. There should be only one R. If multiple R's are listed, then the work needs to be further subdivided to a lower level.
Accountable	This role approves the completed work and is held fully accountable for it.
Supportive	This role provides additional resources to conduct the work or plays a supportive role in implementation.
Consulted	This role has the information and/or capability to complete the work. Two-way communication (typically between R and C).
Informed	This role is to be informed of progress and results. One-way communication (typically from R to A).
Verifies	This role checks the work to ensure that it meets all defined criteria and standards.
Signs	This role signs off on the completed work.

A responsibility matrix can also be known as a linear responsibility chart and can be used to show who is responsible and at what level. For example each row could represent a task and each column a person, the boxes could then be completed with the letters P (Prime support), S (Support) and N (Notify).