Delegation is an art, not a science

Overview
When managers need to delegate tasks, they often feel it will require more time and effort than doing the work themselves. This post explains why delegation is an art, not a science, and provides a practical template to help managers prepare and support teammates effectively.

Key Takeaways

• Delegation should focus on defining a clear project goal without prescribing the solution.
• Provide 2-3 concise pro tips to guide teammates while allowing them to own the process.
• Clearly outline support, escalation points, and success criteria in a delegation template.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers and tech leads
• New managers learning to delegate
• Individual contributors taking on leadership responsibilities

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Delegation planning template (custom framework)