Directly Responsible Individuals

GitLab's implementation of the Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) concept, originally popularized by Apple. The DRI model assigns a single person as accountable for specific decisions, projects, or areas, eliminating confusion about ownership and accelerating decision-making. In GitLab's transparent culture, every major initiative has a clearly identified DRI who has both authority to make decisions and accountability for outcomes. This approach prevents the diffusion of responsibility common in consensus-driven environments. DRIs don't work in isolation - they gather input and collaborate - but they ultimately own the decision and its consequences. The model works particularly well in remote, asynchronous environments where clear ownership prevents delays and confusion. GitLab's handbook documents DRIs for various areas, making it clear who to contact for specific topics and ensuring accountability at scale.