DACI Decision-Making Framework
The DACI framework clarifies decision-making roles within a team, ensuring accountability and efficient progress. By assigning specific responsibilities (Driver, Approver, Contributors, Informed), DACI streamlines decision-making and reduces ambiguity.
Use DACI when launching new projects, encountering roadblocks, or making complex, high-stakes decisions involving multiple stakeholders and departments, especially in cross-functional projects or resource allocation scenarios.
Solves: Confusion about decision-making authority, slow decision cycles, lack of accountability, and stakeholders feeling uninformed or unheard.
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Step 1: Prepare a shared document (e.g., Confluence page) titled 'DACI: [Question]' (5 min)
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Step 2: Assign a Driver to facilitate the process and gather information (5 min)
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Step 3: Identify and assign an Approver (final decision-maker) and Contributors (subject matter experts) (5 min)
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Step 4: Determine who needs to be Informed of the decision outcome (5 min)
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Step 5: Develop an action plan, including details, background, relevant data, decision factors, and options considered (10 min)
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Step 6: Gather input from Contributors and facilitate discussion (10 min)
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Step 7: Organize action items and assign owners (10 min)
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Step 8: Share the outcome and document the final decision (10 min)
- Emphasize the importance of having only one Approver to avoid decision gridlock.
- Ensure the Driver effectively facilitates discussion and keeps the process on track.
- RACI framework (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed)
- Adapt the DACI matrix to include a timeline for each step.