When a supervisor delegates a task to a subordinate, which of the following is true?

Question

Accepted Answer

The supervisor transfers authority but retains ultimate accountability. When delegating, a supervisor transfers the authority (the right to make decisions and take action) necessary to complete the task, but retains ultimate accountability (the obligation to answer for the results). This principle of retained accountability is fundamental to organizational management - a supervisor cannot delegate away their responsibility for outcomes.

Transferring both authority and accountability would mean the supervisor is no longer answerable for the results, which contradicts the management principle that higher-level managers remain responsible for the work of their subordinates. Retaining both authority and accountability describes a situation where no delegation has actually occurred - the supervisor is still doing the work themselves. The idea that the subordinate has no obligation contradicts the basic premise of delegation, which creates a responsibility for the subordinate to complete the assigned task.

Delegation is a critical supervisory skill tested on the DSST exam. Effective delegation requires clear communication of expectations, granting sufficient authority to complete the task, establishing check-in points, and providing support without micromanaging. The distinction between authority, responsibility, and accountability is a key concept that students must understand.

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