A Responsibility Framework for Geometric Specification Management through RACI Integration

Abstract

Geometrical Product Specification (GPS) plays a critical role in ensuring functional compliance, manufacturability, and verifiability across the product development lifecycle. Recent research has highlighted the evolutionary nature of specifications: from functional (FunSpec) to manufacturing (ManSpec), verification (VeriSpec), and contractual (ConSpec) documents; yet the allocation of clear responsibilities among stakeholders remains underdeveloped. This paper proposes the integration of the RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) matrix into the ISO GPS workflow as a structured means to clarify roles, responsibilities, and communication pathways across design, manufacturing, and quality assurance domains, therefore building upon the responsibility principle presented in ISO 8015. Starting from the specification document types presented in ISO/TS 21619 and the interaction between these document types, this study introduces a RACI-supported framework that maps stakeholder involvement to each stage of specification evolution. A possible implementation example demonstrates how the method enhances transparency, prevents overlaps or gaps in responsibilities, and supports compliance with industrial standards such as ISO 9001. The results suggest that embedding RACI within GPS workflows strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration, reduces ambiguity, and lays the foundation for responsibility-aware product specification management.