E-Tip 198 - 4 Tips to Delegate Work Effectively

Tip #1. Plan The Assignment - The very first step is to plan the assignment out from start to finish. Think about all the details that will need to be included and what type of resources are required for it to be done correctly. Put yourself in the shoes of the person who will be given the assignment and anticipate any questions or concerns that might arise.

Tip #2. Communicate Clearly - Sometimes there's a lot of confusion as to what steps/resources are needed to complete a project due to the lack of communication between all parties. Therefore, it's important for the initial assignment to be reviewed by everyone who has a stake in its success. Let your employee know that you will be there along the way to answer any questions they might have. This will reduce the chance of errors and any anxiety they might experience. We also suggest telling them what your expectations are of the final outcome (what the outcome should look like and when the assignment is due).

Tip #3. Derive A Plan Of Action - Once the assignment is distributed, realize that it will take time to accomplish what has been assigned - and don't forget their current work load. Ask the team to come up with a plan of action to accomplish the project. This will allow them to demonstrate their understanding of what is required and give them an opportunity to contribute their input. (Of course you need to review it and agree with the plan they develop, or modify it accordingly.)

It often helps to write down your plan for how the assignment will be executed and what the expected outcome will be for EACH task. Keep a schedule of when certain tasks should be completed or delivered.

Tip #4. Follow-up - Even if the person working on the assignment is clear on what needs to be done, it's still important to follow up and make sure everything is being accomplished successfully. Make sure there aren't any concerns or problems with the assignment and that it's running smoothly. This provides you the chance to offer some guidance. It's also nice to "remind or nudge" someone that you are still thinking about the project. It's a great way to move them to the final steps in completing the project successfully.

Summary - At times, it can be difficult for some managers to want to delegate project responsibility to someone else, but if done properly using the tips above, projects can be done quicker and executed more creatively.

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