Authority Matrix
An Authority Matrix organizes tasks or decisions based on the responsibility of each
person or group involved. For a given task or decision, a particular person or group
may need to know about the task or decision, inform others about it, support it,
actually perform the task or make the decision, approve it, or not be involved for
this part of the project.
Typical Uses
Authority Matrices are used when coordinating responsibilities for a project. They may
also help to explain a process.
Best Practices
- Determine the purpose. Decide what function (typically a project or process) the matrix will serve and title it accordingly.
- Decide contributing factors. Divide the project or process into tasks and decisions, which should be fairly natural.
- Create a matrix. Create a row for each task or decision, listing one in each cell of the leftmost column. Add a column for each person, group, or function, labeling each cell in the topmost row with one.
- Fill in the matrix. For each task or decision, determine the level of responsibility of each person, group, or function and mark the corresponding cell accordingly. A legend explaining each marker should be placed somewhere on the page as well. If a person, group, or function does not take part in a particular task or decision, leave that cell blank.
- Analyze results. Use the finished matrix to keep the project or process organized. It may be useful to distribute it to involved coworkers or to post it where they can view it.