When making duty assignments, who should be assigned responsibility for the duty?

Assigning responsibility for a duty assignment to a specific person is critical for accountability and clarity in roles. When a specific individual is designated for a task, it ensures that there is one person who is fully responsible for completing the duty and for any outcomes that arise from that task. This personal accountability fosters ownership and encourages the individual to perform their duties effectively since they know they are directly responsible for the results.

Additionally, assigning duties in this way helps to avoid confusion and overlap in responsibilities, which can occur when duties are assigned to broader categories like work centers, departments, or divisions. While group assignments might promote teamwork, they can dilute accountability if no single person is clearly in charge. Therefore, designating a specific person ensures that there is clear leadership and responsibility for the duty being assigned.