DACI group decision-making framework

DACI is all about bringing structure to group decision-making.

• D = Driver. The one person responsible for corralling stakeholders, collating all the necessary information and getting a decision made by the agreed date. This may or may not be the project's full-time owner, depending on the decision.
• A = Approver. The one person who makes the decision.
• C = Contributors. They have knowledge or expertise that may influence the decision – i.e., they have a voice, but no vote.
• I = Informed. They are informed of the final decision.

The DACI only works if everyone in the group rallies behind decisions once they're made – even if they don't agree. Without a willingness to share concerns and trust they'll be considered, your team will find itself mired in a bog of circular debates and inaction. Team members may even pursue their preferred option on the sly, in the hopes the official decision is a failure. Make sure everyone is prepared to fully committed to whatever is decided so you can skip the politics.

source: https://www.atlassian.com/team-playbook/plays/daci

Additional details on DACI

• DACI Decision-Making Framework including its derivation from RACI and individual steps to follow.
• Using DACI Framework for Better Group Decisions including guidelines on how to perform each role.