The Microsoft Project RACI System is a way to assign clear responsibility to each task in your project.
RACI means:
| Letter | Meaning | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| R | Responsible | The person who does the work |
| A | Accountable | The person who owns the result and approves |
| C | Consulted | The person who gives advice or expertise |
| I | Informed | The person who needs updates |
How to Use RACI in Microsoft Project
Step 1 — Create Your Task List
First, create all project tasks.
Example:
| Task |
|---|
| Site Preparation |
| Foundation Work |
| Column Casting |
| Brick Wall |
| Electrical Installation |
Step 2 — Create Resources (People/Teams)
Go to:
View → Resource Sheet
Add your team members.
Example:
| Resource Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Sarim | Project Manager |
| Dara | Site Engineer |
| Vanna | Foreman |
| Sokha | Electrical Engineer |
| Client | Owner |
Step 3 — Assign “Responsible (R)”
In Microsoft Project:
Task → Assign Resources
Assign the person who performs the work.
Example:
| Task | Responsible |
|---|---|
| Foundation Work | Vanna |
| Electrical Installation | Sokha |
This is the “R”.
Important:
Microsoft Project mainly handles:
Responsible
Workload
Schedule
Duration
But it does NOT directly have built-in RACI columns.
So we usually create CUSTOM COLUMNS.
Step 4 — Create Custom RACI Columns
Go to:
Project → Custom Fields
Create these Text fields:
| Field | Rename To |
|---|---|
| Text1 | Responsible |
| Text2 | Accountable |
| Text3 | Consulted |
| Text4 | Informed |
Example RACI Setup
| Task | R | A | C | I |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Work | Vanna | Sarim | Structural Engineer | Client |
| Electrical Work | Sokha | Sarim | MEP Consultant | Client |
Step 5 — Show RACI in Gantt Chart
Right-click any column header.
Choose:
Insert Column
Then add:
Responsible
Accountable
Consulted
Informed
Now your schedule becomes both:
Timeline management
Responsibility management
Construction Example (Your GC Business)
For your construction company “8AM”:
| Task | R | A | C | I |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Pouring | Site Foreman | Sarim | Structural Engineer | Client |
| Material Purchase | Procurement | Sarim | Accountant | Site Team |
| Design Approval | Architect | Client | Engineer | Contractor |
This helps:
avoid confusion
reduce blaming
improve execution discipline
speed up decision making
Best Practice in Real Construction Projects
1. Only ONE “A” per task
Never assign multiple Accountable people.
Bad:
Sarim + Client = Accountable
Good:
Only Sarim = Accountable
2. Too many “C” slows decisions
Too many consulted people create delays.
Keep it simple.
3. Use Color Coding
Example:
| Role | Color |
|---|---|
| R | Blue |
| A | Red |
| C | Orange |
| I | Gray |
This makes schedules easier to read during meetings.
Advanced Professional Method
Many contractors combine:
Gantt Chart
RACI Matrix
WBS (Work Breakdown Structure)
Together.
This creates:
schedule clarity
responsibility clarity
execution clarity
Simple Workflow
WBS → Tasks
↓
Assign Resources
↓
Add RACI Columns
↓
Track Progress
↓
Review Accountability
Example of RACI Thinking
Instead of saying:
“Who forgot this?”
You can immediately see:
R = who executed
A = who approved
C = who advised
I = who should know
This is why large construction companies use RACI systems.