The three levels of delegation magnitude

The levels are 1) Task, 2) Process and 3) Outcome.

Task is entry-level delegation, for beginners. It’s a good place to start, but it affords the least amount of freedom for you, and the least growth potential for your delegatee.

Process is a good step up. This is where the delegatee takes over the running of an aspect of the project or operation.

Outcome is the big one. This means the delegatee becomes accountable for achieving something out of the ordinary, and the pair of you might demolish routine processes in achieving it.

It affords the most freedom for you and the most growth potential for the delegatee.

Here’s an example of how delegating something can escalate from Task to Process to Outcome.

Task: Please organise the clients’ day at the races this year.

Process: How about you take over client outreach for us?

Outcome: Your challenge is to increase the proportion of repeat business from 50% now to 75% by the middle of next year!

Note: In getting to grips with her challenging outcome, your delegatee may conclude the expensive and time-consuming day at the races isn’t worth the hassle.

I go into greater detail on this concept here: https://dsabuilding.co.uk/deep-and-deliberate-delegation/