The Delegation Map activity helps clarify the expectation and delegation level between two individuals or two groups (A and B). It is a team-building activity that lists and defines the delegation level for each specific aspect for their work agreement.
Running the activity:
- Introduce the concept of delegation to the team: “Delegation is the assignment of responsibility or authority to another person to carry out specific activities.”
- Identify A and B, the “delegator” and the “delegated” (e.g. A – manager, B – team; A – father, B – son; A – Infra team, B – Development team).
- Write down the key areas to be considered on sticky notes. Write them as a group activity. Try eliminating duplicates.
- Place the key areas on the canvas as column titles, then draw a vertical line for each area.
- Write the following delegation levels as row titles:
* Tell – A makes a decision and communicates it to B.
* Sell – A makes a decision and convinces B it is right.
* Consult – A has a decision ready, but shapes it based on B’s input.
* Join – Decisions are made with equal authority between A and B.
* Advise – B prepares a decision with input from A before finalizing it.
* Confirm – B makes a decision and seeks buy-in from A;
* Delegate – A passes off a decision to B without influencing it. - Draw horizontal lines for each delegation level, forming a map for all key areas and the seven delegation levels.
- As a group, define the delegation level for each area, marking it with a sticky note.
Delegation is much more than a “yes” or “no” question, it is about setting expectations. The results from this activity are a concrete, visible artifact that the team can refer to in the future. This activity is based on the seven levels of authority as defined by Jurgen Appelo, author of Management 3.0.
Remote-team advice: This activity works well for remote teams. Use a remote board of your choice.