Delegation Levels
- Tell the manager makes the decision and explains the rationale that no discussion is required or requested
- Sell the manager makes the decision but then tries to persuade the team on the direction so that they feel involved and bought in on the decision
- Consult the manager solicits input from the team and then makes the decision considering that input
- Agree the manager and the team will discuss the decision and we will make a consensus-based decision before we move on
- Advise: the manager offers their opinion and hope they listen, but the decision is ultimately made by the team
- Inquire the decision is left to be made by the team but afterward the manager will ask for some explanation of the decision
- Delegate the decision is fully left to the team there is no manager involvement in any way shape or form
Steps for Delegations:
- Pick Topics for Delegation
- Each person choose their level
- Everyone (manager+team) individually assigns a level (1-7) to each decision topic
- How much control or autonomy they believe is appropriate.
- Discuss differences
- Compare and discuss the variations
- Where is there agreement?
- Where are expectations mismatched?
- Why does someone feel it should be more/less delegated?
- This is where rich conversations happen!
- Agree on Delegation Level
- Reach a shared agreement on what level makes the most sense per decision area
- This becomes your Delegation Board.
Topics for Delegation Poker
1. Team Operations and Daily Work
- Deciding the priority of tasks in a sprint or project timeline.
- Assigning team members to specific tasks or projects.
- Approving minor expenses for team resources (e.g., softwaretools, office supplies).
- Scheduling team meetings or stand-ups.
- Choosing the tools or technologies for a specific project task.
- Resolving minor conflicts within the team.
- Setting deadlines for deliverables within a project.
2. Project Management
- Approving the final scope of a project.
- Deciding which features to include in a product release.
- Selecting external vendors or contractors for project support.
- Approving changes to a project plan or timeline.
- Allocating budget for a specific project phase.
- Deciding on the acceptance criteria for project deliverables.
- Choosing the methodology (e.g., Agile, Scrum, Kanban) for a project.
3. Team Development and Growth
- Deciding on training programs or certifications for team members.
- Approving attendance at conferences or workshops.
- Setting individual performance goals for team members.
- Conducting performance reviews or giving feedback.
- Deciding on team-building activities or events.
- Assigning mentors or buddies for new team members.
- Proposing promotions or role changes within the team.
4. Customer and Stakeholder Interactions
- Responding to customer complaints or feedback.
- Approving discounts or special offers for clients.
- Deciding on the content of customer-facing communications (e.g.,newsletters, product updates).
- Negotiating contract terms with clients or stakeholders.
- Choosing which stakeholders to involve in project reviews.
- Deciding how to handle escalations from customers.
- Approving final presentations or demos for clients.
5. Organizational Strategy and Policy
- Defining team-level policies (e.g., remote work guidelines, meetingprotocols).
- Deciding on the adoption of new tools or processes across the team.
- Setting team goals that align with organizational objectives.
- Approving participation in cross-departmental initiatives.
- Deciding how to allocate time for innovation or side projects.
- Choosing which metrics or KPIs to track for team performance.
- Proposing changes to organizational processes based on teamfeedback.
6. Hiring and Recruitment
- Writing job descriptions for new team roles.
- Screening resumes or shortlisting candidates.
- Conducting initial interviews with candidates.
- Deciding on the final hire for a team position.
- Approving internship or temporary staff onboarding.
- Defining the criteria for evaluating candidates.
- Choosing recruitment platforms or agencies to use.
7. Innovation and Problem-Solving
- Proposing new ideas for products or services.
- Deciding which experiments or prototypes to pursue.
- Approving the implementation of a new process improvement.
- Choosing which customer feedback to prioritize for innovation.
- Deciding on the scope of a hackathon or innovation sprint.
- Allocating resources for research and development tasks.
- Approving the launch of a pilot project.
