Purpose
In cross-functional decisions, responsibilities quickly blur between approval, influence, and execution. DACI arranges these roles so decision pressure, contribution, and information stay cleanly separated.
Decision Making Decision method
DACI
DACI shows who drives a decision, decides, provides input, and needs to know the result.
DACI clarifies four roles for a specific decision: the Driver runs the process, exactly one Approver decides, Contributors provide expertise and Informed receive the result. A Driver does not automatically hold decision authority.
Who drives this decision, who decides, who provides input and who needs to know the result?
- Participants
- 2-10 participants
- Time
- 30–60 minutes for role clarification; input and decision may span sessions
Bound the decision
Bound the decision
Record a specific decision question, deadline, options and constraints.
Assign D, A, C and I
Assign D, A, C and I
Name one Driver for process and information gathering and exactly one Approver for the decision.
Prepare input and options
Prepare input and options
Driver gathers input by the agreed deadline and records benefits, risks and open questions per option.
Decide and communicate
Decide and communicate
Approver decides with rationale; Driver records outcome, date and open conditions.
Check the agreed reopening trigger when new information appears; reconfirm roles if decision scope or ownership changes.
A good fit when
For multi-stakeholder decisions where process leadership, expert input and final authority must be distinguished.
Ideal for
- Cross-functional Decisions
- Product Governance
- Stakeholder Alignment
Not good for
- Creative ideation
- Decisions without a clear owner
Outputs
DACI role matrix
DACI matrix and decision record with question, options, rationale, date, communication and implementation ownership.
Recorded decision
The decision record contains notification of Informed and clarified implementation, ownership, and reopening triggers.
DACI· worksheet
Fictional example
DACI clarifies four roles for a specific decision: the Driver runs the process, exactly one Approver decides, Contributors provide expertise and Informed receive the result. A Driver does not automatically hold decision authority.
| Role | Person or group | Authority and responsibility | Contribution and handover |
|---|---|---|---|
| D · DriverWho drives the process with which deadlines? | Lea | Run process, gather input, maintain record | Options to Amir by Wednesday |
| A · ApproverWhich single person may make the final decision? | Amir | Choose form or vendor portal within budget | Reasoned decision on Friday |
| C · ContributorsWhat expert input is needed by when? | Nora and Jan | Assess privacy and operations; no additional veto | Assessments to Lea by Wednesday |
| I · InformedWho receives the result when and through which channel? | Course leads and support | Know the decision and account for local consequences | Project channel on Friday with rationale |
1. Person or group
- D · Driver
- Lea
- A · Approver
- Amir
- C · Contributors
- Nora and Jan
- I · Informed
- Course leads and support
2. Authority and responsibility
- D · Driver
- Run process, gather input, maintain record
- A · Approver
- Choose form or vendor portal within budget
- C · Contributors
- Assess privacy and operations; no additional veto
- I · Informed
- Know the decision and account for local consequences
3. Contribution and handover
- D · Driver
- Options to Amir by Wednesday
- A · Approver
- Reasoned decision on Friday
- C · Contributors
- Assessments to Lea by Wednesday
- I · Informed
- Project channel on Friday with rationale
Fictional: by Friday choose between an internal booking form and a vendor portal; criteria are cost, privacy and operating effort. Amir selects the internal form because operating capability already exists. Jan implements by month end; unresolved privacy issues trigger reconsideration before launch.
First step
Frame a decidable question, deadline and scope; the person holding final authority must be available.
Good to do first
Deep dive
How it works
The decision gets a driving person, an approving authority, and a circle for input and information. This clarifies not just who delivers but also who may block or release. This reduces friction in situations with many stakeholders.
In detail
DACI helps when a decision needs a driving person, an approving authority, and clearly bounded input. Contributing, deciding, and being informed must fall apart without polite ambiguity. The approach reduces blockages, false agreement, and late objections through clear decision leadership.
Facilitation
The decision, its deadline, and the roles of driver, approver, contributors, and informed must be crystal clear before the debate starts. The tipping point is where contributions increase decision quality and no longer fight covertly for approval. Close with a documented decision, a visible rationale, and clean communication to everyone affected.
The method guide walks execution through 4 phases, timing, 4 pitfalls, and clear stop criteria.
Open method guideYour perspective
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Sources and topics
Artifact templates
DACI: WorksheetFrame a decidable question, deadline and scope; the person holding final authority must be available.markdown
DACI: WorksheetFrame a decidable question, deadline and scope; the person holding final authority must be available.
markdowndaci-working-template.md
Frame a decidable question, deadline and scope; the person holding final authority must be available.
DACI: Worksheet
Question
To be confirmed
Desired outcome
To be confirmed
Scope
Complete cycle Time: 30–60 minutes for role clarification; input and decision may span sessions
Complete this worksheet on paper or in your own document during the work.
Preparation for this scope
Method setup
- Materials: Decision document, DACI role matrix, options, evidence and deadlines for input and decision.
- Roles: One Driver, one Approver, relevant Contributors and named Informed stakeholders.
- Advance information: Frame a decidable question, deadline and scope; the person holding final authority must be available.
- Overall time needed: 30–60 minutes for role clarification; input and decision may span sessions
- Setup: Open a decision document with question and deadline; confirm roles together before collecting options.
Prepare for the work steps
Bound the decision: Bound the decision
- Reason
- Options and constraints
Assign D, A, C and I: Assign D, A, C and I
- Decision brief
- Stakeholders and mandates
Prepare input and options: Prepare input and options
- DACI matrix
- Expert input and evidence
Decide and communicate: Decide and communicate
- Options
- Approver and Driver
DACI· worksheet
| Role | Person or group | Authority and responsibility | Contribution and handover |
|---|---|---|---|
| D · Driver | |||
| A · Approver | |||
| C · Contributors | |||
| I · Informed |
- D · Driver: Who drives the process with which deadlines?
- A · Approver: Which single person may make the final decision?
- C · Contributors: What expert input is needed by when?
- I · Informed: Who receives the result when and through which channel?
Enter your own people, authority and handovers per role. Name exactly one Approver. Driver runs the process; Contributors provide input.
Bound the decision: Bound the decision
Expected artifact: Decision brief
Can the question be answered unambiguously at the end?
Entry:
...
- Can the question be answered unambiguously at the end?
Assign D, A, C and I: Assign D, A, C and I
Expected artifact: Confirmed DACI matrix
Is exactly one Approver named with actual authority?
Entry:
...
- Is exactly one Approver named with actual authority?
Prepare input and options: Prepare input and options
Expected artifact: Decision-ready options
Can the Approver compare options using the same criteria?
Entry:
...
- Can the Approver compare options using the same criteria?
Decide and communicate: Decide and communicate
Expected artifact: Recorded decision
Are decision, implementation and communication recorded distinctly?
Entry:
...
- Are decision, implementation and communication recorded distinctly?
Open questions and next steps
...
Method guide: https://methodatlas.meierhoff-systems.de/en/methods/daci/run-sheet
Alternatives and neighbors
Fitting alternatives with decision guidance, followed by other related methods.
Decision Making
RAPID
Instead of DACI, when you want to derive a decision cleanly with clear criteria, risks, or consequences.
Operations
RACI Matrix
Instead of DACI, when you want to cleanly clarify responsibilities in terms of who is accountable, who executes, and who is informed.
Decision Making
Argument Mapping
Clarifies options, criteria, and risks by framing the central question, recording the main claim, and marking weak spots.
Decision Making
Decision Matrix
Weighs options against criteria so comparison, scoring rationale, and selection are documented traceably.
Decision Making
Decision Tree
Draws decisions as branching paths so options, conditions, and consequences become clearer in comparison.
Decision Making
Trade-off Analysis
Compares options against criteria and accepted downsides so the decision stays transparently justifiable.
Constraints and origin
LowWorkshop + async30-60 min
Profile
- Method form
- Decision method
- Participants
- 2-10
- Time
- 30-60 min
- Maturity
- Established
- Origin
- Intuit
Next up: Communication Plan