What is Delegation?

Delegation is the assignment of authority and responsibility to another person (normally from a manager to a subordinate) to carry out specific activities. However the person who delegated the work remains accountable for the outcome of the delegated work. Delegation empowers a subordinate to make decisions.

What makes an effective delegation?

• Objectives must be clearly defined.
• Authority and responsibility of each subordinate must be clearly defined.
• Subordinates show be rewarded suitably as a positive incentive for accepting responsibility.
• Workers should be given adequate training for carrying out the task delegated.
• Two way communication between the manager and the subordinate.

Benefits for the manager

• can concentrate on more important job and improve their productivity. The manager gets the opportunity to handle aspects of the job that no one else can do. These activities might include project planning, monitoring team members, and handling personnel problems as they arise.
• Delegation ensures that specialist people are doing the job which reduces the chances of mistakes by the manager.
• Manager can also gauge the efficiency of the subordinates.

Benefits for the subordinates

• It motivates the subordinates as they feel more trusted.
• Through delegation subordinates can be trained to handle responsibilities and future growth.
• Increases team member involvement. Proper delegation encourages team members to understand and influence the work the department does.

For the organisation

• Quick decisions can be taken as the authority to take decisions lies near the point of action.
• Delegation improves a healthy relationship among the manager and the subordinate and thus fewer conflicts.