The words responsibility and accountability are often used interchangeably.
Interchangeable usage definitely means their general usage in communication is unreliable.
I find having a distinction useful.
I offer it as a consideration for inclusion in the glossary when we get tov3 (Future version)
Accountability
Is for delivery of an outcome I have chosen to sponsor that I have the authority to direct the consumption of resources in pursuit of
Note: this generates a single point of accountability - IE the owner of the capital employed (or their delegated Agent or Steward in the context of governance)
Responsibility
The freely agreed‡ duty to participate in the delivery of outcome(s) with the best use of my skills and experience and time (capabilities) applied to the (adequate) resources made available by the accountable person in the conduct of either a procedure or a process to achieve a desired future state in return for some benefit
Note: achievement of an outcome may require multiple complementary responsibilities
‡ (reliable) ‘Agreement’ can never be “because I said so”. The con-ference of responsibility must always be via mutually agreement of an exchange of value and thus it is a contract where both sides have obligations under the contract. Many contracts of this sort are for the receipt of salary.
