Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Functional Supervision?

Functional supervision is a management approach that typically involves overseeing personnel who may report to multiple supervisors or authorities on different aspects of their work. This method is characterized by several key features, which do not include clear role definitions.

When role definitions are clear, it suggests a more traditional supervisory framework where responsibilities and reporting lines are well-defined, often with a single supervisor or manager. However, functional supervision thrives on the complexity of having multiple supervisors, which can lead to ambiguity in roles and responsibilities. This setup can enhance collaboration across different departments and enable employees to develop a diverse skill set, as they interact with various experts and authorities.

In a functional supervision system, enhanced employee performance often arises from this multifaceted approach, where employees can receive diverse inputs and feedback from different supervisors, which can lead to better strategies and improved outputs. The involvement of multiple authorities also aligns with the characteristic of functional supervision, supporting a collaborative environment but potentially causing confusion without clear role definitions.

Therefore, the assertion that clear role definitions is a characteristic of functional supervision is not accurate. Instead, it is the lack of rigid role definitions that defines the functional supervision approach.