What are examples of authority and responsibility in management?

In management, authority plays a major role in directing and controlling the resources available. Authority provides one with the power and ability to make decisions that affect the members of an institution and the tasks they perform. For instance, the leader of a team can delegate duties to other team members. However, the leader is expected to make the final decision based on sound judgment and best practices for the benefit of the task at hand.

Responsibility is the obligation to perform a task. The person responsible for the work is answerable for the results. For instance, a project manager is expected to deliver on the tasks related to the project as required by his/her superior.  Thus, responsibility also refers to the tasks and duties assigned to the project manager. The project manager may be required to coordinate the team. Organizing the team becomes the project manager's responsibility.