You’re managing information security and you need to delegate tasks. How do you do it effectively?

1 Assess your needs

Before you delegate any task, you need to have a clear idea of what you need to achieve, how urgent and important it is, and what skills and resources are required. You can use a framework like the Eisenhower matrix or the SMART criteria to prioritize and define your tasks. You also need to consider the risks and impacts of delegating each task, such as confidentiality, availability, integrity, accountability, and compliance issues.

2 Choose the right person

Once you have a list of tasks that you can delegate, you need to find the right person to do them. You should look for someone who has the appropriate knowledge, experience, and credentials to handle the task. You should also consider their availability, workload, and motivation. You can use tools like skills matrices, performance reviews, or feedback surveys to evaluate your team members' strengths and weaknesses. You can also consult with them to see if they are interested and willing to take on new tasks.

3 Communicate clearly

When you delegate a task, you need to communicate clearly what you expect from the person who will do it. You should provide them with the necessary information, instructions, guidelines, and tools to complete the task. You should also define the scope, objectives, deadlines, and deliverables of the task, and agree on the methods and frequency of reporting and feedback. You should use secure and reliable channels of communication, such as encrypted email, chat, or video conferencing, and avoid using personal or unverified accounts or devices.

5 Evaluate and improve

After the task is completed, you need to evaluate the results and the process of delegation. You should check if the task was done according to the expectations, standards, and requirements that you set. You should also review the feedback and lessons learned from the person who did the task, and identify any gaps, errors, or areas for improvement. You should also thank them for their work, and provide them with recognition, rewards, or opportunities for further development.

6 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?