DACI

DACI is a decision-making framework used to clarify roles and responsibilities in group decisions. The acronym stands for Driver, Approver, Contributor, and Informed. In a DACI process, there is one Driver who leads the decision, one Approver who has the final sign-off, multiple Contributors who provide input and analysis, and a set of Informed stakeholders who are kept apprised of the outcome. DACI is commonly applied in project management, product development, and IT settings to reduce ambiguity and speed up decisions.

Roles

- Driver: owns the decision process, defines the problem, coordinates inputs, schedules discussions, and ensures a timely conclusion.

- Approver: has the authority to approve or veto the decision after considering input from Contributors.

- Contributors: provide data, analyses, options, and recommendations; their input should be prepared to inform the Driver and Approver.

- Informed: stakeholders who are kept up to date about the decision and its implementation but do not drive or approve the decision.

Process

The Driver defines the decision scope and criteria, gathers input from Contributors by a set deadline, and proposes a recommended course of action. Contributors supply evidence and options; the Approver reviews inputs and grants final approval. The decision rationale is documented and communicated to all Informed parties, and implementation proceeds with monitoring as needed.

Benefits and limitations

DACI clarifies ownership, reduces endless meetings, and speeds up decisions by designating a single Driver and a single Approver. Potential drawbacks include rigidity in complex, highly collaborative decisions and the risk of bottlenecks if the Approver delays or if the Driver lacks decision-making authority. It is best suited for decisions with clear scope and multiple inputs but centralized accountability.