RACI is a framework from the managerial consulting world that facilitates communication, decision making, and overall management of teams.* It’s sadly underused in sailing, especially in racing (and perhaps undertakings of all types). ****It recognizes both the limits and value of hierarchy.

RACI stands for Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, & Informed.

This deserves elaboration. Especially, as “Accountable” & “Responsible” seem synonymous to most of us, those two in particular need to be contrasted

Responsible = does the job. Think: ResponsABLE: having the ability to respond. While straightforward, for those curious, I’ve developed this reframing as 1/4 of a framework (see more at: https://farm.fyi/responsibility)

Accountable = “the buck stops here” is the simplest way.

Consulted = those asked for opinion—and they often deserve to be asked, even if their consul is not heeded. They may also be asked why: that is, to justify their opinion. For both requestions “Don’t know”, if true, is usually a valid response.

Informed = the right to know. This is often after a decision has been made, but before the implementing the decision impacts them

For example, everyone, even, rail meat (especially rail meat, often) needs to know a decision, like to tack They have the right—and the helmsman is accountable for informing them—even if those most able to respond, that is forward the message, may be intermediaries, e.g. pit man.

I first wrote the below when coaching a sailing team of 4 on a small keelboat during Wednesday Night Races and a regatta. While the architecture of every boat differs, the concrete examples illustrate the principals—and should be easily adaptable for differing boats/contexts.

(R= Responsible, A = Accountable, C = Consulted, I = Informed)

Helm:

• (A): Keep eyes on the road–-and ask (R) for specific (who & where) help when not possible
• (A+R): Steer steady and efficient (e.g. just outside no-sail cone/zone upwind, by polars downwind)
• (C): Advise the Main trimmer of weather helm status, especially when excessive
• (I): Inform everyone of pending tacks and gybes. Ideally, ask them if they are prepared to do so.

Main:

• (A+R): Properly trim mainsail with Mainsheet and traveler
• Be ready to ease the above when helm needs
• Accountable for outhaul, vang, Cunningham, backstay adjustments, designate those closer to them as Responsible

Jib:

• Prep windward sheet on winch for next tack
• Continuously trim foresails according to point of sail, tell tails…
• Accountable for fairlead, leech line, furling line, jib tensioner/Jib Halyard, inhaulers

Pit:

Accountable AND Responsible for hoists, douses, so halyards, tack line, foredeck issues

Responsible for things with reach, which may be: jib tensioner (Jib Halyard), furling line, (sometime leech line, Fairleads

Assist on jib trimming (winch handle), break old leeward during tack

Tactician (often an additional role)

Keep time, set course. Advice on when to tack, puffs

ALL: (and always): be wind aware! Direction minimum; puffs a bonus

Secondary responsibilities:

Helm:

Help move main tack (velcro straps) for outhaul, move boom to windward to assist main trimmer when tight-hauled

responsible for backstay tensioner

outboard engine in / out of water

Main: take tiller if/when needed, e.g. to help the helmsman to help you with the above

Jib: monitor beneath sail for traffic, esp. on port tack

Pit: help jib trimmer with tacks: e.g. break new lazy/leeward jib sheet off winch

See: Responsibility assignment matrix - Wikipedia

*a former Booz Allen consultant introduced me to RACI in Buenos Aires nearly 15 years ago. Then, I was trying to transition away from the magazine business I came to BsAs to start. It failed—and the failure was hard/slow to see—in large part due to the poor communication and distribution of authority amongst my partners. That disfunction trickled down into the team and shook my self confidence. I had successfully started and then sold basically the same business in Poland; there I managed the disfunction. Looking to relaunch my formerly one-man-shop consultancy as a bigger ongoing concern, I worried I wouldn’t be able to handle a team…