What is the primary purpose of a RACI matrix?

• A. Traces budget and cost baseline
• B. Schedules project meetings
• C. Helps define decision rights and accountability across stakeholders
• D. Defines project quality standards

Answer: (C)

A RACI matrix is about who owns what in a project by clearly defining roles for each task or decision: who is Responsible for doing the work, who is Accountable for the final outcome, who should be Consulted for input, and who needs to be Informed about decisions. The main point is to establish decision rights and accountability across stakeholders, so everyone knows who makes the call, who executes, and who needs updates. This clarity prevents confusion, reduces duplicated effort, and speeds governance because ownership is mapped out for every activity. It isn’t primarily about tracking budgets, scheduling meetings, or setting quality standards—those are handled by cost management, planning/communication, and quality management, respectively. The RACI matrix complements these by pinpointing who is responsible and who is accountable for each item, across the project team and stakeholders.