What do you do if you want to advance your career as a network engineer through delegation?

2 What to delegate?

The first step in delegation is to identify what tasks or responsibilities you can delegate to others. A useful framework for this is the Eisenhower Matrix, which categorizes tasks based on their urgency and importance. According to this matrix, you should delegate tasks that are urgent but not important, such as responding to minor issues, troubleshooting simple problems, or performing routine maintenance. You should also delegate tasks that are not urgent and not important, such as filing reports, updating documentation, or organizing files. You should focus on tasks that are urgent and important, such as resolving major incidents, implementing critical changes, or delivering key projects. You should also plan for tasks that are important but not urgent, such as learning new skills, researching new technologies, or improving processes.

3 Who to delegate to?

The next step in delegation is to select the right person or team to delegate to. You should consider several factors, such as their skills, experience, availability, and interest. You should delegate tasks to people who have the appropriate technical knowledge, tools, and access to perform them efficiently and effectively. You should also delegate tasks to people who have the relevant experience, confidence, and autonomy to handle them without too much supervision or guidance. You should also check their availability, workload, and priorities to ensure that they can complete the tasks within the required time frame and quality standards. Finally, you should delegate tasks to people who have the interest, motivation, and willingness to learn from them and grow their skills.

4 How to delegate?

The final step in delegation is to communicate clearly and respectfully with the person or team you are delegating to. You should explain the purpose and scope of the task, including the expected outcomes, deliverables, and deadlines. Additionally, it is important to specify the level of authority and responsibility you are granting, as well as provide the necessary resources and support. Delegating the whole task, rather than just parts of it, is key. Monitoring progress and performance is also essential, as is offering constructive feedback, recognition, and encouragement. Lastly, it is important to evaluate the results and outcomes of the task while acknowledging any contributions, achievements, or challenges of the person or team. Delegation can be a powerful skill that can help optimize time, resources, and skills while empowering your team to perform better and grow faster. It can also help improve your network infrastructure, service quality, and customer satisfaction.