Hovedansvarene

Hovedansvarene is a Norwegian term used to describe the main responsibilities assigned to a person or unit within an organization. The concept denotes the primary duties that determine accountability and the scope of authority, and it is typically distinguished from secondary or delegated tasks. In practice, hovedansvarene are formalized in job descriptions, governance frameworks, contracts, and policy documents, setting clear expectations for what must be achieved and who is answerable for outcomes.

In corporate governance and public administration, the main responsibilities are allocated to roles such as the chief executive, managers, project leaders, or agency directors. For example, a project manager's hovedansvar may include delivering the project on time, within budget, and meeting agreed quality standards, while a safety manager may bear hovedansvar for risk management and regulatory compliance. The concept also appears in risk analysis, where it helps identify who is accountable for decisions and remedies when goals are not met.

Hovedansvarene are situated alongside related ideas such as medansvar (co-responsibility) and underansvar (sub-responsibility). Clear delineation supports accountability, decision-making, delegation, and auditing. In some contexts, Norwegian law or internal control requirements may require explicit assignment of hovedansvar to avoid ambiguities in liability or responsibility.