By Bhobotosh Debnath. MBA 1st sem. 2010.

Delegation is the act of assigning formal authority and responsibility for completion of specific activities to a subordinate. The downward pushing of authority to make decisions is known as delegation of authority.

To delegate means to grant or confer.

Delegation means conferring authority from one manager or organizational unit to another in order to accomplish particular assignment.

Delegation is authorization to a manager to act in a certain manner. II. Delegation has dual characteristics. As a result of delegation, the subordinate receives authority from his superior, but at the same time, his superior still retains all his original authority. III. Authority once delegated can be enhanced, reduced or withdrawn depending on the situation and requirements. IV. Delegation of authority is always to the position created through the process of organising. V. A manager delegates authority out of the authority vesting in him.
I.

1.

Determination of Results Expected:

Authority should be delegated to a position according to the results expected from the position. Therefore, the first requirement is the determination of contributions of each position.

2.

Assignment of Duties:
Assignment of duties in terms of results that are expected work better. A mans duties will be clear to him only when he knows what activities he must undertake and what goals he must fulfill.

3.

Authorization for Action:

Granting of permission to take actions like making commitments, use of resources and other actions necessary to get assigned work done.

4.

Creation of Obligation:
The last aspect of delegation is to create obligation on the part of subordinate for the satisfactory performance of his assignments.

Love for Authority Maintenance of Tight Control Fear of Subordinates Fear of Exposure Attitude towards Subordinates Personality of Superior

Before delegating authority, make the nature and the scope of the task clear 2) Assign authority proportionate to the task 3) Make the subordinate clearly understand the limits of his authority. 4) Give the subordinate some positive incentives for accepting responsibility. 5) Train the subordinate properly. 6) Create a climate of mutual trust and good will. 7) Do not make the subordinate accountable to more than one superior.
1)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6.

It relieves manager of his heavy workload It leads to better decisions It speeds up decision making It helps train subordinates and builds morale It serves as compensation to those employees who face the prospect of limited advancement. It helps create a formal organization structure