Just getting started on your project management journey? Hive has you covered. As a project management and collaboration tool, we’ve seen many, many simple projects come and go through Hive.

We’ve boiled down those insights and feedback we’ve received to create a RACI template built for teams of all sizes and workflows.

Use this RACI template to understand some of the basic functionality in Hive, how projects can be laid out, how goal-setting and collaboration can take place in Hive and align with the overall project planning process. Even if you’ve never worked with a project management tool before, this RACI template is the first step to get you set up in Hive correctly.

Using this template in Hive

If you don’t have an existing Hive account, you’ll need to visit this link and create your Hive workspace. From there, templates will be available to use when you create a project, or from the blue “?” in the upper right corner of your workspace. Just click on “Template Library” to navigate to our pre-saved project template list.

RACI tracking, which stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed, is a vital tool in project management to clarify and track the roles and responsibilities of team members. By assigning each task in a project a specific RACI designation, it helps ensure that every aspect of the project is accounted for and that no tasks fall through the cracks.

RACI tracking allows project managers to clearly define who is responsible for completing a task, who is accountable for its success, who needs to be consulted for input, and who needs to be kept informed. This helps streamline communication within the team, eliminates confusion or duplication of effort, and ensures that everyone is aligned and on the same page, working towards the same goals.

What is a RACI matrix?

The RACI matrix, also known as the Responsibility Assignment Matrix, is a useful tool for clearly defining and communicating roles and responsibilities within a project or organization. There are several different ways to organize a RACI matrix, depending on the specific needs and requirements of the project.

One common way to organize a RACI matrix is by functional area or department. In this approach, each major functional area or department is listed as a row in the matrix, with the specific tasks or deliverables listed as columns. Each cell in the matrix then contains a letter designation (R, A, C, or I) to indicate the level of responsibility for that specific task or deliverable within a particular functional area.

Another way to organize a RACI matrix is by project phase or stage. In this approach, the rows of the matrix represent different stages of the project, such as initiation, planning, execution, and closure. The columns represent different tasks or deliverables that need to be completed within each phase. This type of organization helps to ensure that each task or deliverable has clear ownership and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

Additionally, a RACI matrix can also be organized by individual team members or roles. In this approach, each row of the matrix represents a specific team member or role, and the columns represent the tasks or deliverables. This type of organization ensures that each team member knows their specific responsibilities and areas of ownership within the project.

Ultimately, the best way to organize a RACI matrix depends on the unique requirements and dynamics of the project. It is important to consider factors such as team structure, project complexity, and stakeholder needs when determining the most effective way to present and communicate responsibilities within a RACI matrix.

At its most basic, you can create a Google Sheets RACI template, Excel RACI matrix template, or something equally as simple. But if you’re after something a bit more nuanced, keep reading.

Why do you need a RACI Template?

A project management RACI chart template, which is just a set and saved versions of the above RACI matrix, are effective tools used in project management to define and clarify roles and responsibilities for tasks and deliverables. RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed, which are the key roles involved in any project or task.

RACI matrixes provide a structured framework that allows project managers to clearly identify who is responsible for completing a task, who is accountable for the overall outcome, who needs to be consulted during the process, and who should be informed about progress and updates. This helps to prevent confusion, duplication of efforts, and communication gaps within a team or organization.

Responsible

The Responsible role refers to the person or individuals who are assigned to complete a specific task. They are responsible for the execution and completion of the task and are expected to actively contribute and ensure its success.

Accountable

The Accountable role is the person who ultimately takes ownership of the task and is accountable for the results. This person is responsible for the final decision-making and overall success of the project or deliverable.

Consulted

The Consulted role refers to individuals who have expertise or knowledge that is valuable in completing the task. They may be consulted for input and advice during the process, but they are not responsible for executing the task.

Informed

The Informed role represents those who need to be kept up-to-date on the progress and outcomes of the task or project. They may not necessarily be involved in the execution or decision-making, but they need to be aware of any relevant information.

By using a RACI template, project managers can effectively define roles and responsibilities, delegate tasks, and promote accountability within a team. It helps to ensure that everyone understands their roles and expectations, and that proper communication channels are established.

Benefits of RACI documentation

They also aid in identifying any gaps or overlaps in responsibilities, enabling project managers to make necessary adjustments and clarifications. They facilitate better collaboration and coordination between team members, allowing for a more efficient and successful project execution.

In conclusion, RACI templates are an invaluable tool in project management as they provide a clear and concise way of defining roles, responsibilities, and communication channels. They help to promote accountability, improve collaboration, and ultimately contribute to the success of a project or task.

Using Hive’s RACI template

With this RACI template, we’ve added each RACI assignment category as a custom field, which was added to our Table view. Each action is one line item in the table view, with subactions expanding underneath the main parent action.

This RACI template is designed to help you:

• Plan and track initiatives in the RACI formula
• Keep teammates informed and aligned on their responsibilities
• Collaborate easily around existing initiatives and projects

In the image below, you’ll see we’ve set the RACI template project up in Table view, meaning each horizontal row is associated with a specific task (either child or parent task).

The Status column, which is color-coded, denotes if the action is in progress, unstarted, or completed.

When individual actions are opened up in this RACI template, you’ll be able to add:

• Action description
• Subactions
• Due date
• Priority level
• Status
• Additional custom fields

The RACI template categories are set as custom fields in Hive, which are shown in the above action card. Custom fields are ways to add set content into individual action cards, filter that content, and ensure that it is tracked consistently across the project.

By giving the RACI template these custom fields, which apply to each RACI category, you guarantee that teammates in the field can be edited or swapped easily. Click here to learn a bit more about custom fields and how you can leverage them in your project.

Once you kick off a project from this RACI template, you’ll be able to edit all of the tasks, subtasks, due dates, and assignees to fit your specific workflow. If it’s easier, you can just use the template as inspiration or a starting point, and create a separate project based on the part of the template that works for you.

To access this RACI template, visit the blue “?” in the upper right corner of your workspace. Click “Template Library” and choose your desired template from the drop down. If you’re looking for a RACI template download, you can export the Hive template via the three “More” dots in the upper right corner of the project.

Why Hive Templates?

Templates are extremely valuable in project management for several reasons. Firstly, templates provide a standardized format that ensures consistency across all project documents. This consistency makes it easier for project managers and team members to locate and understand information, improving their overall effectiveness.

Templates also save time and effort by offering a pre-designed structure for various project artifacts such as project plans, status reports, and risk registers. Instead of starting from scratch each time, project managers can simply customize the template to fit the specific needs of their project. This efficiency allows them to allocate more time to other critical project tasks.

Knowledge sharing

Furthermore, templates serve as a valuable tool for knowledge sharing and collaboration within a team. By using templates, project members have a common understanding of how data should be presented, making it easier for everyone to contribute effectively. Additionally, templates provide a clear framework for communication, ensuring that all stakeholders receive consistent and concise information.

Best practices

Templates also promote best practices and standardization within an organization. By using templates that align with industry standards, project managers can implement proven methodologies and approaches, leading to better project outcomes.

Templates can also incorporate lessons learned from previous projects, enabling project teams to avoid common mistakes and improve processes. This ensures that organizations leverage their collective knowledge and experience to deliver successful projects consistently.

Efficient collaboration

Overall, templates are an essential component of project management as they enhance efficiency, foster collaboration, promote standardization, and support knowledge sharing. By providing a consistent structure and approach, templates contribute to the overall success of projects and help project managers deliver high-quality results, on time and within budget.

Learn more about Hive

Hive is a project management tool designed to streamline collaboration and enhance productivity across teams. With its user-friendly interface, Hive offers a seamless experience for teams to track tasks, deadlines, and project progress. Its comprehensive features include customizable project templates, Gantt charts for visualizing project timelines, and real-time collaboration through chat and file sharing.

Hive also integrates with popular third-party apps like Jira, Dropbox, and Google Drive, allowing teams to effortlessly manage their projects without switching between multiple tools. Additionally, Hive provides insightful analytics and reporting capabilities, helping teams make data-driven decisions and optimize their workflows.

Hive Pricing

Want to learn more about Hive? We’ve got you covered. Hive University is a great place to start, where you can learn all about our features and functionality.

Hive has several flexible plans for you and your team, which you can learn more about here, and starts with Hive Free all the way up to Enterprise. Our plans are designed to cater to the diverse needs and budgets of their clients. 

Starting with our Free plan, which gives teams an opportunity to start their collaborative efforts. With the Hive Starter plan, teams will be provided a cost-effective solution for small teams with limited project requirements. With this plan, users can enjoy essential project management features like task management, team collaboration, and file sharing.

For more advanced functionalities, the Hive Teams plan offers additional features such as enhanced reporting, time tracking, and resource management. It is ideal for growing teams with more complex projects. Hive Apps are also exclusively offered in Hive Teams plan, which includes everything from time tracking to resourcing, proofing, and more.

Large organizations can benefit from the Enterprise plan, which includes all the features of the Professional plan plus customized solutions, premium support, and advanced security features. Email us at hq@hive.com if you’re interested in our Enterprise plan.