Definition
Accountability is the obligation to answer for the outcomes of assigned Decisions, actions or duties and to make them open to justification and evaluation.
Human Explanation
Accountability identifies who must answer for the final result and explain the Decisions that led to it.
Why it Matters
Clear Accountability improves transparency, prevents unresolved Decision authority and supports learning from outcomes.
Conceptual Boundary
Accountability is not the same as Responsibility for performing a task. It concerns answerability for the achieved result and cannot be removed merely by delegating the work.
Practical Perspective
Every important Decision should have a clearly identified accountable person or body with sufficient authority to influence its outcome.