Delegation of Authority

 Delegation of Authority

• In order to meet the targets, the manager should delegate authority.

• Delegation of authority can be defined as subdivision and sub-allocation of powers to the subordinates in order to achieve effective results.

 

Elements of Delegation

1. Authority

• In context of a business organization, authority can be defined as the power and right of a person to use and allocate the resources efficiently, to take decisions and to give orders so as to achieve the organizational objectives.

•  Authority must be well- defined.

•  Authority is the right to give commands, orders and get the things done.

•  Accountability still rest with the person having the utmost authority.

 

2. Responsibility

• A person who is given the responsibility should ensure that he accomplishes the tasks assigned to him.

• If the tasks for which he was held responsible are not completed, then he should not give explanations or excuses.

• While if he doesn't accomplish tasks assigned as expected, then also he is answerable for that.

 

3. Accountability

• For example, if 'A' is given a task with sufficient authority, and 'A' delegates this task to B and asks him to ensure that task is done well, responsibility rest with 'B', but accountability still rest with 'A'.

• Being accountable means being innovative as the person will think beyond his scope of job.

• Accountability, in short, means being answerable for the end result.

 

For achieving delegation, a manager has to work in a system and has to perform following steps : –

 

1. Assignment of tasks and duties 

2. Granting of authority 

3. Creating responsibility and accountability

 

Delegation of authority is the base of superior-subordinate relationship, it involves following steps:- 

1. Assignment of Duties: 

• The delegator first tries to define the task and duties to the subordinate.

• He also has to define the result expected from the subordinates.

• Clarity of duty as well as result expected has to be the first step in delegation.

 

2. Granting of authority: 

• Subdivision of authority takes place when a superior divides and shares his authority with the subordinate.

• It is for this reason, every subordinate should be given enough independence to carry the task given to him by his superiors.

• The managers at all levels delegate authority and power which is attached to their job positions.

• The subdivision of powers is very important to get effective results.

 

3. Creating Responsibility and Accountability: 

• Responsibility is said to be the factor or obligation of an individual to carry out his duties in best of his ability as per the directions of superior.

• Accountability, on the others hand, is the obligation of the individual to carry out his duties as per the standards of performance.

• Therefore, it is said that authority is delegated, responsibility is created and accountability is imposed.

• Equally important is the delegatee's role which means his responsibility and accountability is attached with the authority over to here.