methodatlas
Decision Making

DACI

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by defining the decision, naming the driver and approver, and documenting decision and follow-up.

Core question
What decision does the Approver make based on Driver preparation and Contributor input, and who gets informed when and by whom?
LowWorkshop + async30-60 min
Open runsheetPlan sessionStart comparison
Purpose

The method helps clarify options, criteria, and risks concretely. It separates options, evaluation criteria, and open risks. The result is captured as a DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, and Decision Log.

How it works

The team follows the steps: define the decision, name the driver and approver, define contributors and informed parties, collect input, and document the decision and follow-up. Each step is captured visibly. In the end, a DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, and Decision Log are available so decisions, tests, or actions can follow directly.

Visual orientation

Method sketch for a quick mental model.

DACI · Entscheidungsrollen (Atlassian)Driver, Approver, Contributors und Informed für eine Entscheidung explizit klären und im Decision Log festhalten
DACIDas Visual zeigt Driver, Approver, Contributors und Informed rund um eine Entscheidung und ein Decision Log.Entscheidungsrollen vor der Entscheidung sichtbar machenDACI trennt Prozessverantwortung, finale Zustimmung, Input und Kommunikation, damit Entscheidungen nicht verschwimmen.vorbereitenentscheidenInputkommunizierenEntscheidungLaunch-Datum festlegenDDrivertreibt Prozess undVorbereitungAApprovertrifft oder bestätigtfinalCContributorsliefern fachlichen InputIInformedwerden nach EntscheidunginformiertDecision LogEntscheidung, Datum, Owner und Follow-updokumentieren

Flow

  1. 1Define the decision
  2. 2Name driver and approver
  3. 3Define contributors and informed parties
  4. 4Collect input
  5. 5Document the decision and follow-up

The runsheet guides execution with 5 phases, timeboxes, 5 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.

Open runsheet

Ideal for

  • Cross-functional Decisions
  • Product Governance
  • Stakeholder Alignment

Not good for

  • Creative ideation
  • Decisions without a clear owner

Deep dive

In detail

DACI follows a clear working logic: define the decision, name the driver and approver, define contributors and informed parties, collect input, and document the decision and follow-up. This turns the method into a visible thinking process instead of only a conversation. The participants move step by step from raw material, observations, or options to a shared structure. As a result, a DACI Matrix, Decision Owner, and Decision Log make decisions, learning, and further planning actionable.

Facilitation

Prepare a clear guiding question, the right information, and a visible workspace. Plan about 30 to 60 minutes with 2 to 10 people and use the format in a workshop or asynchronously. The facilitation remains lightweight; visible milestones, short timeboxes, and a parking lot for open questions help.

Output artifacts
DACI MatrixDecision OwnerDecision Log
Tags
decisionrolesgovernancealignment

Sources

DACI: A Decision-Making Framework | Atlassian Team Playbookatlassian.comDACI Decision-Making Framework: Everything You Need to Knowproject-management.com
Artifact templates
DACI Working TemplateCompact working template for DACI with roles, options, criteria, and decision log.
spreadsheet

daci-working-template.md

Compact working template for DACI with roles, options, criteria, and decision log.

DACI Working Template

Goal

Clarify who drives the decision, who approves it, who contributes, and who stays informed.

Context

What decision needs to be made, and why now?

Input

  • Decision question:
  • Stakeholders:
  • Constraints:
  • Facts and assumptions:

Working area

  • Driver:
  • Approver:
  • Contributors:
  • Informed:
  • Options:
  • Criteria:

Output artifacts

  • DACI matrix:
  • Decision log:
  • Follow-up actions:

Open questions

  • ...

Decision / next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

When to choose differently

Short decision aid for existing alternatives.

RAPID

Statt DACI, wenn ihr eine Entscheidung mit klaren Kriterien, Risiken oder Konsequenzen sauber herleiten wollt.

RACI Matrix

Statt DACI, wenn ihr Verantwortlichkeiten entlang von Verantworten, Ausführen und Informieren sauber klären wollt.

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Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by delimiting the decision, assigning RAPID roles, and documenting the decision and action steps.

Statt DACI, wenn ihr eine Entscheidung mit klaren Kriterien, Risiken oder Konsequenzen sauber herleiten wollt.

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Clarifies options, criteria, and risks by framing the central question, recording the main claim, and marking weak spots.

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Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by framing the decision question, clarifying context and goals, and defining evidence needs and the next decision format.

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Decision Matrix

Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by listing options, defining criteria, and checking result and sensitivity.

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Turns options, criteria, and risks into a tangible result by defining the decision question, collecting options and conditions, and discussing the best path.