DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY

The primary purpose of delegation is to make the operation of an institution possible.

Just as no one person in an institute can do all the tasks necessary for accomplishment of a group purpose, so it is impossible, as an institution grows, for one person to exercise all the authority for making decisions.

CONSIDERATIONS IN DELEGATION

· The competence to make decisions on the part of the person to whom authority is delegated.

· Adequate and reliable information pertinent to the decision must be available to the person making the decision.

· The scope of the impact of a decision (i.e., How many and which units are affected by any decision?)

ATTITUDINAL REQUIREMENTS FOR DELEGATION

A WILLINGNESS TO:

· Let go
· Give opportunity to the ideas of others
· Let others make mistakes
· Trust subordinates
· Establish and use broad controls

GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE DELEGATION

· Define assignments and delegate authority in the light of results expected
· Select the person in the light of the task to be done
· Maintain open lines of communication
· Establish proper controls
· Reward effective delegation
· Reward successful assumption of authority