Factors to Take Into Account for Any Task Delegation
As businesses boom, workloads get heavier, almost to the point where the management simply can’t manage it all. The age-old management technique of delegation needs to be applied in such a situation. However, since delegation usually involves financial responsibility, doing it randomly without any thorough consideration could lead to a disaster. So, here are the key factors to take into account before delegating a task –
- Finding the right candidate
Before employing someone, make sure to check out the background of the candidate. Make sure he or she has the right know-how, information, and skill set to do the job. In delegation, it is not about selecting the most qualified person for the job, it is more about picking the person with the most passion for the work. Before delegating the task, make sure that the task provides a chance to cultivate and advance another individual’s skill sets. Don’t simply foist off an unlikable task on the employee.
Make sure that the person doing the job feels good about it. It is proven that productivity levels fall when employees see their job as a burden. Certainly, the job may be rough and from time to time disagreeable and problematic – several jobs are – but it must deliver the individual with an authentic prospect to flourish and learn.
- Determine the Nature of the Task
Before delegating a task, make sure to analyze the nature of the task. Overall, a task can be categorized into two types –
- A onetime, emergency task – A common part of day to day commercial activities that needs expert attention. Travelling to another state to secure a commercial deal can be a good example.
- Tasks that are constant and reiterating – Commercial tasks which need to be repeated on a regular basis. For instance, conducting market surveys fall under this category.
Keeping all the long-term benefits of the company in mind, for the business and the worker who is being chosen to complete the task – select the person suited to the nature of the task.
- Time Analysis
If a task is urgent and there is no time for preparation or employee training, make sure to delegate the task to someone with expertise. In case the task has time to analyze feedback and has room for repeats, employing someone with no experience is acceptable. In almost all occurrences, taking on a fresh task is about education, and making sporadic errors that have to be resolved.
- Settling on a Deadline
A key factor that employees need to be educated about is the consequence of not finishing the task on time. Is “just about on time” sufficient? To put it simply, can the business deal with delays due to the fact that the task is being delegated? If not, the person to whom the job is given must be made aware of the difficult circumstances and expected to give suitable solutions.
Handing over of tasks usually increases the chances of failure, but not if these key factors are considered beforehand.
Summary
As businesses realize the importance of delegation, significant factors like roping in the most appropriate candidate, setting a deadline, understanding the nature of the task keeping the company goals in mind should be considered. Moreover the task should be delegated to the right person according to the time that is available at hand.
Reshali Balasubramaniam
Head of HR, HR Counselor and adviser at https://jobpal.lk and EFutureTech Systems. Submit your resume online and be contacted by prospective employers