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Delegation Plan

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Being an effective research project manager is all about effective delegation.

The Research Team Leader often has more than one project running concurrently and may also have substantial administrative and teaching duties within the department. The only possible way that the project will be completed on time and to the standard required is if the Research Team Leader can delegate chunks of the project effectively to members of the research team.

Delegation can be difficult though as there is inevitably a fear in trusting other’s ability to complete the task. How good are you at delegating? (Word Document) In PDF format (PDF Document) is a simple self-review checklist to help you to identify your current propensity for, and skill in delegation.

When delegating work it is essential to communicate and obtain agreement for (and understanding of) what is involved and when completion is required.

The following is a suggested framework to use when delegating work:

Aspect	Considerations	Action
Outcomes	Create a clear, mutual understanding of what needs to be accomplished Ensure you are both have a picture of the same outcome/s	Focus on what is to be done (not how it is to be done) Be patient and spend time to answer questions
Supervision	Identify the guidelines within which the person being delegated the work may work Repetition of previously made mistakes	Encourage initiative, but be clear about any restrictions Pass on information to avoid ‘reinvention of the wheel’
Resources	What will be required to complete the delegated task/s	Identify requirements and ensure they are provided at the appropriate time
Accountability	How will progress/achievement be evaluated?	Provide standards guidelines for performance and reporting timeframes
Consequences	What will happen on successful completion of the delegated work? What will happen if work is not completed to plan?	Use appropriate level of supervision to avoid errors or time slippages occurring Reward work well done and communicate what the effects will be if work is not completed to plan.

Managing Research Projects

Delegation Plan