“So, I am accountable for the output of my team, the results. Please tell me what is in the contract. What is each team member responsible for?” Sheila asked.
“With accountability for results clearly fixed with the manager, here is what we need from each member,” I replied. “Here is the contract:
“Each team member is required
- To do their best.
- To report to their manager ASAP whenever they see that the project will not meet the results outlined by the manager (behind schedule or failing a quality standard), so that appropriate action can be taken by the manager.
- To report to their manager ASAP whenever they see that the project will exceed the results outlined by the manager (ahead of schedule or exceeding a quality standard), so that appropriate action can be taken by the manager.
- To report to their manager whenever circumstances (personal or business) prevent them from doing their best, so that appropriate action can be taken by the manager.
“Sheila, with you, as the manager, assuming accountability for the results of your team and with this contract in place, everything changes.”
Tom,
This reminds me of the RASCI model – am I correct? In your mind – in that model what is the difference between Responsible and Accountable?
Greg
Greg,
This is not the RASCI model. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Responsibility_assignment_matrix)
The RASCI model does make the distinction between those doing the work (responsible) and those accountable for the result that is in alignment with the principle in the blog post. My focus is on the accountability of the manager. Most would place the accountability for the result on the team member. In that case, why would we need the manager?
Thanks for the tip on the RASCI model.
Opulently I agree but I contemplate the list inform should prepare more info then it has.