DACI (Decision Roles)

Use it when you need razor-sharp accountability to break decision gridlock on cross-functional initiatives.

What is it?

DACI is a lightweight decision-roles framework designed to eliminate confusion and speed up decision-making in product and project teams.

It defines four clear roles, Driver (owns the process), Approver (makes the final call), Contributors (provide input), and Informed (kept in the loop), forming a simple accountability matrix. Originally crafted by the Intuit Product Management Team, DACI solves the common problem of ‘who decides what' by mapping responsibilities before work begins. Unlike RACI's broader scope, DACI zeroes in on decisions, making it a go-to model for PMs, founders, and ops leads who need a fast, repeatable way to assign ownership and avoid analysis paralysis.

Whether you're evaluating feature trade-offs, approving go-to-market plans, or setting sprint priorities, DACI gives you a shared language for who drives, who approves, who contributes, and who just needs to be updated.

Why it matters?

Fast, transparent decisions mean your team moves at startup speed instead of bureaucratic crawl. DACI slashes meeting time, prevents duplicate work, and reduces missed handoffs, so you launch features and campaigns faster, iterate more often, and outpace competitors.

How it works

Growth co-pilot turns your toughest product questions into clear, data-backed recommendations you can act on immediately.

Define the decision scope

Start by crystallizing what needs a call, feature launch, design change, budget allocation, and set clear objectives for the decision.

Assign the Driver

Choose one person to own research, synthesize input, and guide the process end-to-end. Tip: Pick someone with context and authority to keep momentum.

Identify Contributors

List stakeholders and subject-matter experts who provide data, feedback, or analysis. Keep this group focused, too many voices slow you down.

Nominate the Approver

Single out the person with final authority (e.g., PM lead or exec). This prevents endless loops, there's only one yes or no.

List the Informed

Decide who needs visibility on the outcome without active involvement, marketing, legal, or external partners.

Run the process

Driver gathers input, aligns Contributors, and presents a recommendation to the Approver.

Communicate and document

After the Approver's sign-off, Driver shares the decision and rationale with Informed parties to ensure transparency.

Frequently asked questions

Growth co-pilot turns your toughest product questions into clear, data-backed recommendations you can act on immediately.

What does each letter in DACI represent?

DACI stands for Driver (owns the process), Approver (makes the final call), Contributors (offer expertise), and Informed (kept apprised). It's your decision-making GPS.

What does each letter in DACI represent?

DACI stands for Driver (owns the process), Approver (makes the final call), Contributors (offer expertise), and Informed (kept apprised). It's your decision-making GPS.

How is DACI different from RACI?

Both clarify roles, but RACI's focus is on task responsibility (Responsible vs. Accountable), whereas DACI zeroes in on decision ownership, making it leaner when you need clear calls, not just task assignments.

How is DACI different from RACI?

Can one person fill multiple DACI roles?

In small teams you can combine roles, but avoid having the Driver also be the Approver, they're conflict roles. Combining Contributor and Informed is fine if you need to economize.

Can one person fill multiple DACI roles?

In small teams you can combine roles, but avoid having the Driver also be the Approver, they're conflict roles. Combining Contributor and Informed is fine if you need to economize.

When should you avoid using DACI?

Skip DACI for low-impact, day-to-day decisions that don't warrant formal structure. Use it when stakes are high, cross-functional input is required, or you sense decision gridlock.

When should you avoid using DACI?

Skip DACI for low-impact, day-to-day decisions that don't warrant formal structure. Use it when stakes are high, cross-functional input is required, or you sense decision gridlock.

How often should you revisit your DACI assignments?

Tweak your DACI chart whenever scope shifts, new stakeholders emerge, or after major milestones. A weekly or sprint-end check keeps roles accurate and prevents confusion.

How often should you revisit your DACI assignments?

Tweak your DACI chart whenever scope shifts, new stakeholders emerge, or after major milestones. A weekly or sprint-end check keeps roles accurate and prevents confusion.

You've locked down roles to power through your next strategic decision. Now run your DACI plan through the CrackGrowth diagnostic to uncover hidden delays and supercharge your execution.

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