7 Main features of delegation of authority suggested by McFarland

7 Main features of delegation of authority suggested by McFarland:

According to McFarland, delegation of authority is attended by following features:

1. Delegation involves taking decision about the logical and meaningful units of work into which the overall duties of the delegator can be broken up.

2. It also involves deciding by the delegator as to who are the subordinates capable of handing different parts of the sub-divided job. By implication, delegation includes the features of division of labour and specialisation.

3. Since delegation of authority is done to subordinates, it involves a correct assessment of the span of supervision which the delegator would be able to effectively control.

4. Delegation of authority is also attended by the feature of connecting more than one level of organizational hierarchy. The delegator must decide how many levels would be appropriately liked up through delegation.

5. Delegation of authority to handle a job is also accompanied by authorisation of the delegate to call for and use resources necessary for executing his part of the task.

6. Delegation of authority is always accompanied by the feature of ‘Accountability’ Accountability signifies the obligation or answerability of the delegate to the delegator for the proper accomplishment of responsibility cast upon him through delegation of authority.

7. Delegation of authority is attended by the feature of detailed and exhaustive records of performance of each of the delegate’s. This feature ensures proper enforcement of accountability.