ISO/IEC 42001 RA(S)CI Matrix Template (Clauses 4–10 + Annex A/B Controls)
If you’re implementing ISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management System), one of the biggest blockers is unclear ownership: Who approves AI policies? Who maintains the risk register? Who signs off on model changes? Who informs leadership?
The ISO 42001 RA(S)CI template is a practical, editable accountability matrix designed to help you map ownership across ISO 42001-aligned governance and operational activities. Use it to reduce gaps, eliminate duplicated effort, and create a consistent structure you can reuse for audits, reviews, and ongoing improvement.
Unlike generic RACI spreadsheets, this RA(S)CI is designed specifically for AI governance and AIMS workflows—making it easier to coordinate compliance, risk, security, legal, and engineering teams around shared AI responsibilities.
Benefits of using the RA(S)CI Template
- Clarifies accountability for ISO 42001-aligned governance, controls, and operational tasks
- Speeds up implementation by removing ambiguity and decision bottlenecks
- Strengthens audit readiness with a consistent ownership record you can reference during reviews
- Improves cross-team coordination between AI, security, risk, privacy, legal, and product
- Scales with your AI program as you add models, use cases, suppliers, or regions
What’s included
Clauses 4–10 RA(S)CI Matrix (with subclauses)
A structured matrix covering ISO/IEC 42001 Clauses 4–10, including subclauses, so you can quickly assign Responsible / Accountable / Support / Consult / Inform for every requirement.
Annex A Controls RA(S)CI Matrix + SoA-friendly fields
A controls register-style matrix for Annex A controls, with practical fields that support implementation and audit readiness:
- Applicability / SoA-style fields (e.g., applicable, not applicable, planned)
- Status tracking (e.g., not started, in progress, implemented)
- Space for evidence/deliverables and implementation notes
Editable role library
A dedicated Roles section lets you rename roles for each business unit without rebuilding the matrix structure.
Built-in validation checks
Quickly spot gaps using built-in checks that flag common issues like:
- Missing Accountable (A)
- No assigned Responsible (R)
Who this template is for
- Organizations building an AI Management System (AIMS) aligned to ISO/IEC 42001
- Teams preparing for internal audits, management review, or certification readiness checks
- AI governance programs that need clearer ownership across:
- policy & oversight
- risk management
- AI lifecycle / change management
- incident handling & monitoring
- third-party / supplier governance
How to use (simple workflow)
- List your functions/teams (governance, engineering, security, legal, privacy, procurement, audit).
- Assign RA(S)CI per activity (one clear Accountable owner per line works best).
- Validate with stakeholders in a short working session.
- Publish and maintain as part of your AIMS documentation and continuous improvement cycle.
Deliverables & format
- Downloadable template files (Excel format)
- Includes a suggested starting matrix and a blank version for full customization
- Works in Microsoft Excel and compatible spreadsheet tools (best experience in Excel)
Note: This is a practical implementation template and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ISO. The template is designed to help you organize responsibilities and implementation work while you use the official ISO/IEC 42001 standard as the normative reference.
FAQ
Is this an official ISO document?
No. This is an implementation template created to help organize responsibilities and execution. You should still use the official ISO/IEC 42001 standard for the authoritative requirements.
Can I edit this template for business alignment?
Yes—this template is specifically structured for ease of editability. Update role names, adjust a few assignments, and save your business-specific copy.
Does it include Annex A controls?
Yes. It includes a dedicated matrix for Annex A controls (93) with fields that support applicability decisions and implementation tracking.
Does it include Clauses 4–10 with subclauses?
Yes. The requirements matrix covers Clauses 4 through 10, including the subclause structure, so you can assign responsibilities at the right level of detail.
What tools do I need?
Microsoft Excel is recommended for the best experience (dropdowns and checks). It should also work in compatible spreadsheet tools, but Excel is best.
