Delegation

Delegation is the process of distributing and entrusting work to another person. In management or leadership within an organisation, it involves a manager aiming to efficiently distribute work, decision-making and responsibility to subordinate workers in an organization. Delegation may create an accountable chain of authority where authority and responsibility move in an organisational structure. Inefficient delegation may lead to micromanagement.

There are several reasons someone may decide to delegate. These include:

To free themselves up to do other tasks at their own pace

To have the most qualified person making the decisions

To seek another qualified person's perspective on an issue

To develop someone else's ability to handle the additional assignments judiciously and successfully.

Delegation is widely accepted as an essential element of effective management. The ability to delegate is a critical skill for effective management. Several factors facilitate effective delegation, including "Recognising and respecting others’ capabilities; evaluating tasks and communicating how they fit in the big picture; matching people and assignments; providing support and encouragement; tolerating ambiguity and uncertainty; interpreting failure as a key to learning". As organisations are complex and dynamic, achieving objectives depends heavily on how effectively tasks and responsibilities are delegated.