Assigning Responsibility To Projects within an Organization

One thing I despise in organizational leadership is responsibility without authority.  If someone is given ownership of a project, event or ministry he or she should also be allowed the freedom and tools to lead that effort with limited interruption from top management, as long as the effort stays within the context of the overall vision of the organization.   At the same time, I do not like “lone rangers” who refuse to be held accountable, keep others uninformed of their progress or refuse to share success for their efforts.

One resource helpful for assigning and evaluating responsibilities for a specific task or ministry is the RACI Matrix.  It forces the organization to assign specific responsibility and understanding to a project. This eliminates confusion, helps insure projects have the people resources to be completed and provides for accountability.

Consider using this matrix for your next project.  Take a single project, task or ministry and decide who in your organization is:

Responsible –This is the owner of the project.  He or she is ultimately responsible for completing the project.  As an example, in our church, Ben Reed, as Director of Community Groups, is responsible for small group ministry.

Accountable – This person is not directly responsible, but in the end will be held accountable for the projects completion.  Following the previous example, as a co-pastor, I frequently promote groups in my messages and since I am responsible for the protection of the overall vision of our church, I am ultimately accountable for small group ministry.  (In our team approach to ministry, Ben share’s accountability for the ministry also.)

Consulted – Some people are not responsible or accountable for a task or ministry, but because it impacts their own area of responsibility they need to be consulted.  In my example, Michael Bayne leads our family ministry.  Because many of his parents are involved in small group ministry and conflicts with schedules and demands can occur, he at times needs to be consulted about the plans of the small group ministry.

Informed – These are people that have interest in the success of the organization and must therefore be kept informed with the progress of a project or ministry.  In our staff-led, team-driven church, the entire staff needs to be informed about the general activities of the small group ministry.

Have you ever been held responsible for a project and not given the tools or the authority to complete it successfully?

If you are a senior leader in your organization, do you need to think through these principles of management for your next task, project or ministry?