ansvarspunkt

Ansvarspunkt is a term used in Norwegian governance, management, and quality systems to denote a specific point in a process where responsibility and decision authority are assigned to a person or organizational unit. It identifies who is accountable for ensuring a task is done correctly, decisions are made, and outcomes are achieved at that stage. The concept supports clear governance, traceability, and accountability, by linking responsibility to a defined step rather than to an entire project or organization.

Usage: In process documentation, standard operating procedures, and project plans, et ansvarspunkt specifies the role, the scope of responsibility, the decision rights, and any required approvals. It is often aligned with delegation of authority (fullmakter) and can be integrated into risk management and compliance frameworks.

Examples: In a manufacturing workflow, the line supervisor may be the ansvarspunkt for approving a batch release; in a software development lifecycle, a product owner may be the ansvarspunkt for accepting user stories at a sprint review; in a safety-critical operation, a safety officer may be the ansvarspunkt for declaring a work permit valid. These points are usually documented in process maps or governance documents and linked to escalation paths when issues arise.

Relationship: Ansvarspunkt relates to broader concepts of accountability, responsibility, and authority. It is commonly used together with tools like RACI matrices, responsibility matrices, and governance policies to ensure clear ownership and to facilitate audits and continuous improvement.

See also: accountability, responsibility, authority, delegation, RACI, governance, process management.