Delegation

Delegation
Delegation is defined as ‘a process of entrusting responsibility and authority to the subordinates and creating accountability on those who are entrusted with the authority and responsibility.’
Delegation means downward transfer of authority from a superior to subordinate. It is required for efficient functioning of the organization as well as enables the manager to use his time on high priority work. It helps the subordinate to satisfy his needs.
However it is not the process of abdication. The manager shall still be responsible for the performance of the job assigned to him. Moreover, the authority delegated to a person can be taken back and redelegated to another person. Thus, irrespective of the authority delegated, the manager will still be accountable to his senior.


Elements of Delegation
1.Responsibility: It means the obligation of the subordinate to properly perform the work assigned to him. The process of delegation begins when the manager passes on some of his responsibilities to his subordinates which mean that responsibility can be delegated.
However, when an employee is given the responsibility of some job, he must also be given the requisite authority to carry out his job.
2.Authority: It means power to take decision. It also refers to the right of an individual to command his subordinates within the scope of his position.
When the managers are passing their responsibilities to the subordinates, they also pass some authority matching the responsibility. However they should not pass all their authority to their subordinate.
3.Accountability: It implies answerability of the subordinate for accomplishment or non accomplishment of job assigned. Once, the authority has been delegated and responsibility accepted, one cannot deny accountability. Accountability can only be shared with the subordinate, it cannot be delegated and it flows upwards.
It indicated that the manager must ensure proper discharge of duties by his subordinates. The subordinate is expected to explain the consequences of his actions and omissions.

Thus it can be stated that while the authority can be delegated, responsibility is assumed and accountability is imposed.

Delegation is not the process of abdication
This means that accountability is absolute. It can never be passed or delegated. Even after creating accountability on subordinates, the superiors also remain answerable. For example, if the sales manager is assigned a target of selling 1000 units in one month, and he divided this target among 5 salesmen under him. At the end of the month, if only 80 units could be sold, he can not escape his accountability. Though he had passed this target to his subordinates, still he cannot get rid of his accountability. He should have checked the performance from time to time to make sure that the work is going on in the right direction and taken timely action.