RACI

RACI is a simple grid that clarifies who does what on a task or decision, by tagging each person as Responsible (does the work), Accountable (owns the outcome, only ever one person), Consulted (gives input before), or Informed (told after). You list the tasks down one side, the people across the top, and drop an R, A, C, or I into each cell. The point is to kill ambiguity, especially the silent assumption that someone else has it handled.

For a lean founder, RACI matters most as you start delegating or bring in your first contractors and clients. Early on you are A, R, C, and I for everything, which is fine until it isn't. The first sign you've outgrown that is work falling through cracks or two people redoing the same thing. A quick RACI on your handful of recurring processes makes accountability explicit, so a dropped ball has a name attached and nothing important is left ownerless.