Method · Decisions

DACI: how to run it

A way to make a group decision clear before discussing it: one Driver runs the process, one Approver makes the call, Contributors give input, and the Informed are told the result.

45 minutes5 stepsDecisions
Other methods

When it helps

Use it for decisions that involve several teams and keep stalling — choosing a tool, a vendor, a direction — when it is unclear who actually decides.

When to use something else

Skip it for day-to-day decisions one person can make, and for emergencies where waiting for input would cost more than a wrong call.

How to run it, step by step

  1. Name the decision and the deadline5 min
    • What exactly are we deciding, and by when?
  2. Assign the roles5 min
    • One Driver, one Approver, the Contributors, the Informed.
  3. Lay out the options15 min
    • The Driver presents the options with their pros, cons and costs.
  4. Hear the Contributors15 min
    • Each Contributor gives their view and evidence.
  5. The Approver decides5 min
    • The decision, the reason, and who tells the Informed.

What comes out — an example

Made up, to show the shape.

Decision. Which video tool for customer calls, by 15 March.

Driver. Ops lead. Approver. COO. Contributors. Sales, support, IT. Informed. Everyone.

Options. Keep the current tool; switch to a cheaper one; switch to one with recordings built in.

Decided. Switch to the one with recordings — support needs them for training. COO, 12 March.

Where it comes from

Atlassian includes DACI as one of the plays in its Team Playbook.

Questions

What does DACI stand for?

Driver, Approver, Contributors and Informed.

How is DACI different from RACI?

DACI is for making one decision; RACI maps who does what across many tasks.

Can there be more than one Approver?

It works best with exactly one, so it is always clear who makes the call.

Other methods

Six Thinking HatsThe group looks at one question from six angles in turn — facts, feelings, risks, benefits, new ideas and process — so everyone thinks the same way at the same time instead of arguing.Dot votingEverybody gets a few votes — dots — to put on the options they like best, so a group can see its priorities in minutes instead of debating every item.RACIA grid that says, for each task or decision, who does the work (Responsible), who answers for it (Accountable), who is asked first (Consulted) and who is told after (Informed).RAPID decision rolesAssign five roles for an important decision — who Recommends, who must Agree, who will Perform it, who gives Input, and the one person who Decides — so it gets made and carried out.Six-page memo meetingInstead of slides, someone writes a narrative memo of up to six pages; the meeting starts with everyone reading it in silence, then discusses it.Consent decision-makingA decision goes ahead unless someone has a reasoned objection — not “is this the best idea?” but “is it good enough for now and safe enough to try?”

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