Mastering RACI in FutureFeed
🔐 A Management Tool That Helps You Run Better—and Audit Faster
🧭 What is RACI?
RACI is a management framework used to define roles and responsibilities for everything from day-to-day tasks to strategic initiatives. It clarifies:
- Who does the work
- Who owns the outcome
- Who is consulted
- Who is simply informed
In FutureFeed, RACI isn’t limited to project tasks—it applies across your entire cybersecurity and compliance program:
| ✅ Applies To | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Controls | Assign implementation and oversight responsibilities |
| Tools | Identify who configures, manages, and documents systems |
| Documents | Clarify authorship, review, and ongoing ownership |
| POA&Ms | Define accountability for closing gaps |
| Projects | Group and manage related POA&Ms with a clear lead |
| Evidence Tasks | Assign collectors and reviewers for audit artifacts |
🔑 RACI isn’t for the auditor—it’s for management.
The audit simply forces organizations to do what should’ve been done all along: define who’s actually in charge of what.
🔡 RACI Roles – Defined
| Role | Description | Management Perspective |
|---|---|---|
| R – Responsible | Does the work | Executes the task or produces the deliverable |
| A – Accountable | Owns the outcome | Signs off on success; only one per item is recommended |
| C – Consulted | Provides input or expertise | Two-way communication, often a subject-matter expert |
| I – Informed | Receives updates only | One-way communication; doesn't influence outcome |
⚠️ While FutureFeed does not require an “A,” every item should have one. Leaving it blank undermines management visibility. Assigning more than one A muddies decision-making.
📬 Assign by Role, Not Just by Name
| ✅ Benefit | Why it Matters |
|---|---|
| Durable | People change, roles remain |
| Scalable | Easier to manage across large or growing teams |
| Auditable | Reflects org structure rather than personalities |
One of the smartest ways to manage your RACI assignments is to assign by job role, not individual name.
Example:
- ✅ Compliance Manager
- 🚫 Janet Smith (unless the responsibility is truly unique)
This small shift makes your program more resilient and your audits more efficient.
🛠️ How to Assign RACI in FutureFeed
- Open any RACI-enabled item (Control, POA&M, Project, Document, etc.)
- Navigate to the RACI section
- Assign:
- A – Accountable (recommended: only one)
- R – Responsible (optional; multiple allowed)
- C – Consulted (optional)
- I – Informed (optional)
- Assign by person or role
- Save
🔄 Review and revise your assignments as teams and priorities evolve.
🔍 Compliance + Management: How RACI Helps During an Audit
Auditors are allowed to talk to anyone—but you don’t want them to.
By assigning RACI:
- You minimize the number of people who need to speak to an auditor
- You ensure auditors speak to the right people—those with context and clarity
- You avoid time-consuming rabbit holes caused by unclear or conflicting answers
🎯 The goal isn't to impress the auditor—it's to help them move efficiently through your program with confidence that ownership is clearly defined and well understood.
📊 Example – RACI on a FutureFeed Project
Project: Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Rollout
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Leaving “A” blank | Always assign someone—even a role. No accountability = no ownership. |
| Assigning multiple A’s | Stick to one. Multiple A’s = finger-pointing and delays. |
| Everyone is a C or I | Be intentional. Too many voices slows action. |
| Assigning only by name | Use roles where possible for resilience and easier transitions |
| Skipping RACI on Projects | Projects need ownership too. Don’t let POA&Ms float untethered. |
🚧 Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Leaving “A” blank | Always assign someone—even a role. No accountability = no ownership. |
| Assigning multiple A’s | Stick to one. Multiple A’s = finger-pointing and delays. |
| Everyone is a C or I | Be intentional. Too many voices slows action. |
| Assigning only by name | Use roles where possible for resilience and easier transitions |
| Skipping RACI on Projects | Projects need ownership too. Don’t let POA&Ms float untethered. |
📌 Quick Checklist
✅ Every item has one clear A
✅ R, C, and I roles are assigned with intent
✅ Assignments favor roles over individuals
✅ RACI structure aligns with organizational management
✅ Roles support both efficient operations and streamlined audits
📬 Questions?
Need help deciding who should be accountable for a control or project? Want to streamline your compliance response plan? Contact your FutureFeed admin or reach out to support@futurefeed.co.