Drawing of Stakeholder map

Project Management Templates | FREE Downloads Word, Excel, PDF, Visio

  • Concise, focused guide that cuts through the clutter
  • Step-by-step instructions for creating a project plan in under a day
  • Master essential skills like work breakdowns and task sequencing
  • Real-world troubleshooting for 20 common scheduling challenges
  • Rapidly get up to speed if you're new to Microsoft Project
  • Includes glossary, support resources, and sample plans
The cover of the book 'Essential Microsoft Project: The 20% You Need to Know'

Project Roles and Responsibilities | Excel Template FREE

by | reviewed 25/03/2024
Project Roles and Responsibilities Template free download in Excel

Why you need this template

Sometimes you need more than a RACI or RAM to understand and communicate the roles and responsibilities on your project. RACI's are great for an at a glance idea of a persons responsibilities for a task or function, but it doesn't describe their purpose or contribution to the project. It also doesn't typically include contact information.

This template is designed to bridge the conventional gap left by RACI and RAM, providing a more holistic and detailed view of each participant's involvement in the project. By integrating essential details like contact information, reporting lines, and specific project contributions, this template enhances clarity, accountability, and teamwork efficiency. It serves as a comprehensive guide that not only delineates task responsibilities but also encapsulates the essence and value each role brings to the project life cycle.

Whether integrated into the Project Charter or the Project Initiation Document (PID), or utilized as a standalone document, this template aims to fortify the project's structural framework. By ensuring that each team member's role is explicitly defined and understood, the template paves the way for smoother communication, more effective collaboration, and a higher probability of project success.

This template is easy to edit and is meant to be changed to suit your project so feel free to add or delete columns etc.

The contents of the Roles and Responsibilities Template in Excel

Role Title

The job title of the role. This might be an official job title or one that is in place for the project.

Role Description

Describe what this person does for the project, and what they are accountable for. If relevant provide links to a RACI or RAM, and job description for more detail.

On Project Board?

Enter Y or N to indicate whether the role is part of the Project Board (the steering group that provides governance for the project).

Reports on the project

Who the person will report to while they are working on the project. This person may not be their project manager.

Line Manager if different

The person's line manager if that different from their project report. For example, often team members will report to the Project Manager for the duration of the project, but will have a another permanent line manager.

Part of team

The permanent team that the person is a part of i.e. not the project team.

Chats and channels

Note done the names of any handles that you can use to contact this person. This might be direct handles or for their team/ work groups.

Email

Enter this person's email address. You might also include any group emails that this person is a part of.

Contact numbers

Enter all contact numbers you have for this person e.g. mobile, landline.

Location

Where this person will be located during the project. This might be an office, working from home or a temporary location for the duration of the project. This information may be needed for sending letters, documents in hard copy.

Time Zone

Enter the the time zone that this person is located in. This is important for planning meetings, project scheduling and allocating work.

What are some of the roles you might expect to have on your project?

Here are some of the common roles that you might include in your project roles and responsibilities template:
  1. Project Sponsor: The individual or group who provides the financial resources for the project, usually from the senior management. They champion the project at the executive level and ensure it aligns with strategic objectives.
  2. Project Manager: Responsible for planning, executing, and closing the project. They manage the project team, resources, budget, and schedule, and are the primary point of communication for stakeholders.
  3. Project Coordinator: Assists the project manager in administrative duties, scheduling, and communication with team members. They help with documentation and organization to keep the project on track.
  4. Team Leader: Oversees specific teams within the project, such as the design team or the technical team. They are responsible for task delegation within their group and report progress to the project manager.
  5. Business Analyst: Gathers and analyzes business requirements from stakeholders and translates them into technical specifications. They ensure the project meets business needs and objectives.
  6. Technical Lead or Architect: Responsible for the project's technical direction, including system design, programming, and integration. They make critical technical decisions and lead the technical team.
  7. Quality Assurance Manager: Ensures the project's outputs meet the required standards and are free from defects. They plan and oversee quality control and assurance activities.
  8. Risk Manager: Identifies potential project risks, assesses their impact, and plans mitigation strategies. They monitor and manage risks throughout the project life cycle.
  9. Stakeholder: Any individual, group, or organization that can affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by the project. Stakeholders include customers, suppliers, team members, government agencies, and the public.
  10. Subject Matter Expert (SME): Provides expertise and knowledge in a specific area, such as legal, financial, environmental, or technical domains. They advise the project team and help resolve specific challenges.
  11. Change Manager: Manages changes to the project scope, ensuring they are systematically assessed and approved. They work closely with the project manager to minimize the impact of changes.
  12. Communications Coordinator: Handles internal and external communications for the project. They develop communication plans, distribute updates, and maintain project documentation.
  13. Resource Manager: Allocates and manages resources such as personnel, equipment, and materials. They work with the project manager to ensure the project has the necessary resources to succeed.
  14. Procurement Manager: Manages the procurement of goods and services for the project, including contract negotiation, supplier selection, and purchase orders.
  15. Training Coordinator: Develops and implements training programs for project team members and end-users. They ensure everyone has the necessary skills and knowledge to fulfill their roles.
These roles can vary depending on the project's size, complexity, and industry. Additionally, one person may hold multiple roles, especially in smaller projects. The key is to define each role clearly and assign them appropriately to ensure all project aspects are covered.

Best Practices for Managing Project Roles and Responsibilities

  1. Define Roles Early: Establish clear roles and responsibilities at the outset of the project. This clarity helps in setting expectations and reduces confusion among team members.
  2. Involve the Team: Engage all project members in defining their roles and responsibilities. This inclusive approach ensures buy-in and helps team members understand how their roles fit into the larger project context.
  3. Be Specific: Avoid vague descriptions. Clearly articulate the tasks, authority, and expectations for each role to prevent overlaps and gaps in responsibilities.
  4. Link Roles to Objectives: Align each role with specific project objectives. This alignment ensures that everyone is working towards common goals and understands the importance of their contributions.
  5. Provide Necessary Resources: Equip each team member with the tools, information, and support they need to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.
  6. Promote Accountability: Use the roles and responsibilities document to hold team members accountable for their tasks. Regular check-ins and progress reviews can help in maintaining accountability.
  7. Foster Communication: Encourage open communication among team members about their roles and any challenges they face. A collaborative environment helps in resolving issues more efficiently.
  8. Document and Share: Ensure that the roles and responsibilities document is accessible to all project stakeholders. This transparency helps in maintaining alignment and facilitating collaboration.
By following these best practices, you can enhance team coordination, improve project execution, and increase the likelihood of project success.

10 Tips for Customizing your Template

  1. Structured Table Format: Convert your data range into a table by selecting the range and pressing Ctrl + T. This will allow for easier data management, filtering, and formatting. Tables in Excel can automatically adjust as you add or remove rows/columns, which is particularly useful for dynamic project environments.
  2. Dropdown Lists: Utilize data validation to create dropdown lists for consistent data entry. This is particularly useful for columns such as "Role Title", "On Project Board?" (Yes/No), and "Part of Team". To add a dropdown list, select the cells, go to Data > Data Validation > Settings tab, choose 'List' from the 'Allow' box, and then enter your list items.
  3. Conditional Formatting: Enhance the readability of your template by using conditional formatting. For example, you can highlight different roles in different colors, mark completed tasks, or flag overdue dates. Select the range you want to format, go to Home > Conditional Formatting, and choose your formatting rules.
  4. Dynamic Charts and Graphs: If your template includes quantitative data, such as hours allocated per task or project phase completion rates, consider adding charts or graphs. This can provide a quick visual representation of the project's status. Select your data, go to Insert, and choose the chart type that best fits your data.
  5. Use of Formulas: Incorporate formulas for automated calculations and data analysis. For example, you can use the COUNTIF function to count how many tasks are assigned to each team member or the SUMIF function to calculate the total hours spent on a particular phase.
  6. Pivot Tables: For advanced data analysis and summary, pivot tables can be incredibly powerful. If your template includes extensive data, such as task lists, timelines, and statuses, a pivot table can help you quickly summarize and analyze this information in various formats.
  7. Freeze Panes: To keep your header row and/or the first column visible as you scroll through your template, use the Freeze Panes feature. Go to View > Freeze Panes and choose "Freeze Top Row" or "Freeze First Column" as applicable.
  8. Cell Comments: Use cell comments to provide additional information or clarification without cluttering the template. Right-click a cell and choose 'Insert Comment' to add your note. This can be particularly useful for providing details on specific responsibilities or assumptions in the project
  9. Hyperlinks: If your roles and responsibilities tie back to more detailed documents or online resources, you can insert hyperlinks directly into your Excel cells. Right-click the cell, select 'Hyperlink', and then choose the file, web page, or email address you want to link to.
  10. Security: Once your template is set up, consider protecting the sheet to prevent unintentional edits. You can lock the entire sheet or specific cells. Go to Review > Protect Sheet, choose your settings, and set a password if necessary.

Download the Roles and Responsibilities template

Excel download - Roles and Responsibilities Template (xlsx)

Excel download - Roles and Responsibilities (xls)

OpenDocument Spreadsheet download - Roles and Responsibilities (ods)

PDF download - Roles and Responsibilities (PDF)

Other Project Templates to download

How to download this template

Click on the download link or button. Depending on your browser settings, the file may download automatically to your default download folder, or you may be prompted to choose a location to save the file. Select your preferred location and click "Save."

Locate the downloaded file on your computer and double-click to open it. If a security warning appears asking if you trust the source of the file, click "Yes" or "Enable Editing" to proceed.