OVERCOMING AMBIGUITY AND INCONSISTENCY

The lack of role clarity can create ambiguity and generate inconsistency; the building blocks of dysfunction. Fortunately, there is an effective tool called responsibility charting that sustains functionality by keeping those within your sphere of influence focused on their roles and relationships.

Begin by making a list of people with whom you interact on a daily or frequent basis. Next make a list of the tasks you and these folks undertake together. Now visualize that each person on the list, including you, has a letter by his or her name representing one of the following functions:

R - Identifies the person accountable for taking action. As a general rule there should only be one (R) for each task. That person needs to understand and accept the conditions of performance including the budget, time frame, completion date, milestones, etc.

A - Identifies the person(s) whose approval or authorization is needed before action is taken. This makes it clear to the person with the (R) who he or she needs to confer with before expending any resources. The (R) will coordinate with the (A) to see just how far he or she may go before subsequent authorization is required.

C - Indicates who has the expertise necessary for the successful completion of the task. It lets the (R) know which consultants will be working with the task team and what they are expected to contribute. Only those persons assigned (R) or (C) need to attend task meetings; a time saver for everyone.

I - Identifies the person(s) who needs to be kept informed through status updates as the task moves toward completion. People assigned an (I) don't need to attend task meetings because the person with the (R) will keep them informed; another time saving feature.

In addition to monitoring the progress of any given task, responsibility charting can also be used to launch a new venture, rejuvenate a stalled program or get a derailed project back on track.

Note: Uncharted relationships rely on assumptions which are the brain food of idiots.

V.O.R.