Sample scope · 10 October 2026

Fictional example: Northstar Services uses this page to coordinate temporary decision cover when a manager is away. It applies to delegated management decisions, not routine shift handoffs, and does not monitor an absence or live readiness. Follow the current approved delegation for your role and location; if authority is unclear, pause the decision and consult the next-level manager.

Readiness scan

Four checks before you take a decision

Use these checks to orient yourself. The current approved delegation—not this fictional example—sets the authority you may exercise.

Confirm authority

Read the approved delegation and identify its scope, limits, and end point.

Surface open decisions

List what needs a decision, by when, and what information or commitment is outstanding.

Know the escalation route

Identify the next-level manager and any specialist owner relevant to the decision.

Plan the hand-back

Keep a concise record of decisions, rationale, open items, and agreed next steps.

Move work forward without guessing

  1. At the start of cover

    In the Northstar example, the acting manager reviews the written delegation, notes its scope and end point, and collects open decisions with their owners and due context. The date is an illustrative sample, not a live cover schedule.

  2. When a decision is unclear

    A supplier change is proposed, but the acting manager cannot confirm whether it sits within delegated approval limits. They do not approve it by assumption: they record the decision needed, requested timing, and missing authority clarification, then raise it with the next-level manager.

  3. While cover continues

    Revisit open decisions when material information or timing changes. Keep the record factual: what is waiting, who owns the next step, and which authority question remains unresolved.

  4. When the manager returns

    Walk through decisions made and why, unresolved items and their next steps, and commitments or dates that need attention. Identify any authority questions that still need an owner.

Illustrative decision reference

Fictional Northstar Services example only—not a delegation policy, approval record, or live work queue. Use the applicable approved delegation to determine actual authority.

Decision area Within confirmed authority Pause and consult when… Consult role
Routine team prioritization Set priorities only where the written delegation confirms this responsibility. The change would affect another team or exceed the stated scope. Next-level manager
Supplier change Proceed only if the specific change and approval limit are explicitly covered. The limit, scope, or required approver is unclear. Next-level manager; relevant specialist owner
Open commitment or due date Communicate status and the next decision needed within confirmed authority. A revised commitment would bind another team or exceed delegated authority. Next-level manager; commitment owner
Specialist-owned question Route the question with relevant context; do not substitute for specialist approval. The decision depends on expertise or approval outside the delegate’s remit. Relevant specialist owner

Role-based handoffs

Delegating manager
Clarifies the intended cover scope and receives the hand-back
Management
Next-level manager
Resolves authority questions that the delegate cannot confirm
Management escalation
Relevant specialist owner
Advises on decisions that require specialist input or approval
Decision-specific expertise

Hand work back clearly

A short, factual conversation restores context and makes the next owner clear.

Use the hand-back conversation to cover four points:

  1. Decisions made: state what was decided, when, and the rationale or confirmed authority used.
  2. Still open: name each unresolved decision, what is missing, and who has the next step.
  3. Commitments and dates: surface agreed dates or promises that may need follow-up; distinguish confirmed commitments from proposals awaiting approval.
  4. Authority questions: identify anything paused or escalated and the role that still needs to clarify it.

For the supplier-change example: “The proposed change was not approved because I could not confirm it was within my delegated limit. The next-level manager has the authority question; the proposal and requested timing are recorded for review.”