How can you delegate tasks without losing control of your project?

Absolutely the first thing is have a great project kick off with ALL of the interested parties, this should focus on: 1 - Sponsors clarifying the objectives of the project - making it clear that the buck stops with the Sponsor. 2 - Making it clear that all must not fear taking responsibility - that the client sponsors back them up 3 - A great and simple overview of the project aims, and governance. 4 - Explain how a project works (most may never have been involved in one) 5 - A clear agreed PID 6 - A High level plan that makes the various phases, key workstreams and deadlines clear. 7 - What does all the above need? - Well that is good COMMUNICATION! 8 - Finally in my projects make sure all enjoy the project - have some fun :-)

I never forget Ronald Reagan - in essence "I know I dont know much ;-) but i surround myself with experts and listen so I can make excellent judgement calls, my skill is choosing and managing experts, taking responsibility for decisions and realising that the buck stops with me" now that should be a fundamental mantra for good Project managers.

The big word here is TRUST - to mold and evolve a good resource is to delegate well, avoid micro management but also to make sure the team know who is the boss, dip in sometimes to check all is ok. Give praise and reward when it is due but also be firm and supportive when needed. Do not forget as well that sometimes bad eggs unfortunately do exist and these must be clearly weeded out after following due warning. The client needs to see that the project team is a well managed ship.

To delegate successfully is truly an art that a good PM needs to master, without motivation or the opportunity to aspire to a greater future all you may end up with is a bunch of robots waiting for instructions which will equal certain failure in the world of human interaction. The art to make teams elite - the classic "A Team" approach - is to foster an environment of success as a team working together for each other, knowing each others skills when in the trenches, remember we also all make mistakes - learn from them and ensure that there is NEVER an air of fear - it is ok to lose or compromise so long as all was done fairly to try and win - just watch a great game of rugby and the teams that tend to win and if they lose take it well.

In my experience there are multiple ways for delegating the task without losing control, but I believe the best one is make sure you lead with example so that anyone who is your subordinate are happy to keep you in loop without any second thought and with all due respect. Another thing to keep in mind is no body likes to be managed these days but everyone liked to be included. So include people in your decision and also make sure you keep meeting people at regular intervals and ask them if they are comfortable in their skin. By doing such things, one should be able to control the things by delegating the tasks.