DACI Roles

What it is

DACI is a decision-making framework designed for teams, especially during fast-moving projects. It assigns clear roles: Driver (who leads), Approver (who signs off), Contributors (who provide input), and Informed (who are kept in the loop).

When to use it

Use DACI when decisions stall due to unclear ownership, or when your startup grows beyond a handful of people and decisions risk becoming chaotic. It's also powerful in cross-functional work where roles easily blur.

How to apply (3 to 4 steps)

1. Identify the decision that needs to be made. 2. Assign one Driver, one Approver, several Contributors, and a group to be Informed. 3. Run the process: Driver gathers input, Approver makes the call, Contributors add data, Informed stay updated. 4. Write down the DACI in a simple doc or Slack message so no one is confused.

Try it now (Micro task)

Pick one decision currently stuck in limbo. Assign DACI roles in writing today. Notice how much faster the group aligns.

Founder story

"We were spinning our wheels on a new pricing model. Once we assigned a Driver and a clear Approver, the team aligned, and the decision was shipped within 48 hours."

Why it works (Evidence)

Reducing role ambiguity lowers stress and speeds execution.

Related models

• Eisenhower Matrix: Decide what matters most
• Minimum Viable Operations: Operate lean under pressure
• Type 1 vs Type 2 Decisions: Avoid wasting time on reversible calls