How do you delegate and empower your team members to take ownership of their project tasks as a line manager?

1 Define the project scope and objectives

Before you assign any tasks to your team members, you need to have a clear and realistic understanding of the project scope and objectives. What are the expected outcomes, deliverables, and deadlines of the project? What are the risks, assumptions, and constraints that might affect the project? How will you measure the success of the project? By defining the project scope and objectives, you can communicate them to your team members and align their expectations and responsibilities.

2 Delegate tasks according to skills and interests

One of the key skills of a line manager is to delegate tasks effectively and efficiently. You need to know the strengths and weaknesses of your team members, as well as their interests and preferences. By delegating tasks according to skills and interests, you can ensure that your team members are capable and motivated to perform their project tasks. You can also avoid micromanaging and overloading your team members, which can reduce their productivity and morale.

3 Provide feedback and support

Another important skill of a line manager is to provide feedback and support to your team members throughout the project. You need to monitor their progress, identify any issues or challenges, and offer constructive feedback and guidance. You also need to recognize their achievements, celebrate their successes, and reward their efforts. By providing feedback and support, you can foster a positive and collaborative team culture, as well as improve the quality and efficiency of the project delivery.

4 Encourage collaboration and communication

A successful project requires collaboration and communication among the team members, as well as with other stakeholders. You need to create a platform and a process for your team members to share information, ideas, and feedback with each other and with you. You also need to facilitate regular meetings, updates, and reports to keep everyone informed and engaged. By encouraging collaboration and communication, you can enhance the teamwork and trust among your team members, as well as avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.

5 Empower your team members to make decisions

One of the ways to empower your team members to take ownership of their project tasks is to allow them to make decisions that affect their work. You need to trust their judgment and expertise, and give them the autonomy and authority to solve problems, make changes, and innovate. You also need to support their decisions and back them up when needed. By empowering your team members to make decisions, you can increase their confidence and commitment, as well as foster a culture of accountability and learning.

6 Review and evaluate the project outcomes

The final step of project management and delivery training for line managers is to review and evaluate the project outcomes. You need to compare the actual results with the expected results, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the project. You also need to solicit feedback from your team members and other stakeholders, and analyze the lessons learned and the best practices. By reviewing and evaluating the project outcomes, you can improve your project management skills, as well as the performance and satisfaction of your team members.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?