---
id: "concept-arci-framework"
type: "concept"
source_timestamps: ["§ How Decision-Rights Tools Are Meant to Work"]
tags: ["frameworks", "raci", "accountability"]
related: ["concept-decision-rights", "action-reorder-raci-to-arci", "claim-single-accountability"]
definition: "A reordering of the RACI model that puts 'Accountable' first to emphasize the single decision owner and clarify the distinction between decision-makers and input-providers."
sources: ["governance"]
sourceVaultSlug: "hbr-seg-governance"
originDay: 7
articleStem: "hbr-sig-48-decision-rights"
sourceUrl: "https://hbr.org/2026/07/what-companies-get-wrong-about-decision-rights"
sourceTitle: "What Companies Get Wrong About Decision Rights"
---
# ARCI Framework

The **ARCI framework** is a deliberate reordering of the traditional [[entity-raci-d7|RACI]] (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) model. By placing **Accountable at the very front** of the acronym, organizations visually and conceptually prioritize the role of the single decision owner.

The authors advise using ARCI because it prevents widespread confusion about the distinct difference between:

- **Accountable** — the *one* person who makes the final call and leads the decision team.
- **Responsible** — the **2–4 people** (see [[action-limit-responsible-role]]) who provide critical input, surface trade-offs, and debate options.

Emphasizing the 'A' first anchors the process around a singular point of authority, mitigating the power struggles and execution delays that arise when accountability is diffused — the failure mode argued in [[claim-single-accountability]].

**Related:** the practical move is [[action-reorder-raci-to-arci]]; ARCI is one lens on the broader idea of [[concept-decision-rights]] and a variant of the tool [[entity-raci-d7]].


## Related across articles
- [[framework-ovis]]
- [[claim-single-accountability]]