Qualification Framework/Professional Education/Management/MHRM/Principles of Management/Delegation of Authority/Steps of delegation

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Steps for effective Delegation of Authority
Delegation is the assignment of authority and responsibility to another person to carry out specific activities. Delegation is normally from a manager to a subordinate. However the person who delegated the work remains accountable for the outcome of the delegate work. It allows a subordinate to make decisions, i.e. it is a shift of decision-making authority from one organizational level to a lower one.

The process of delegation has to go through the following steps:

Assignment of responsibilities
This is the most crucial step that trigger delegation. In this step the superior authority list out the responsibilities to be assigned to the subordinate by answering the questions with reliable reasons:


 * What to delegate?
 * When to delegate?
 * Whom to delegate? and
 * How to delegate?

Granting of Authority
Mere assigning of responsibilities alone cannot ensure execution of such responsibilities by the subordinate. For smooth execution of the assigned responsibilities, the subordinate would require authority. Therefore assigning of responsibility and granting of authority should go together to the subordinate.

Ensuring of Accountability
Delegation of Authority does not become complete with assigning of responsibilities and granting of authority. The superior is required to build accountability on the part of the subordinate to ensure that assigned responsibilities are carried out and delegated authority is used judiciously. This part should be taken care of in the M&E plan and also through regular and effective performance appraisal.