Operational delegation: what it is and what it means

Operational delegation is not just assigning a task: it includes defining the expected result, the perimeter of autonomy and the point at which to report back. The skill is measured by the ability to let the team member choose the method even when the manager would have chosen differently. Competent behavior assigns by specifying the result and the time constraint, not the method; incompetent behavior assigns and then constantly checks the method, reducing the team member's autonomy to zero.

Distinctive: perimeter of autonomy
Distinctive: let the team member choose the method
Essential: expected result
Essential: point at which to report back
Essential: not the method
Constant: specifying the result and the time constraint

Glossary

Operational delegation

A management process that assigns a task by specifying the expected result, the perimeter of autonomy and the reporting point, without imposing the method.