(4) delegation of authority. We’ll discuss each of them in  the  following  paragraphs: 1.  Unity  of  command  requires  the  following practices: (1) a person reports directly to, and receives orders from, one superior; (2) one person must have control over one segment of the organization, and he alone  must  issue  all  orders  to,  and  receive  all  reports from,  that  segment;  and  (3)  all  personnel  in  the engineering  department  must  know  whom  they  direct and to whom they report. To  accomplish  unity  of  command  within  the department,  the  chain  of  command  has  to  be  definite, clear-cut, understood, and obeyed by all. When the chain of command is ignored, either from the top down or  from  the  bottom  up,  the  result  is  confusion  and conflict. Departments  are  organized  into  divisions,  where practical. Those divisions are assigned battle stations as units  under  their  own  officers  and  petty  officers. OPNAVINST 3120.32B lists the standard letter and numeral  designation  of  divisions  of  all  types  of  ships. When it is necessary to establish a division not listed or when functions of two or more divisions are combined as a single division, the TYCOM assigns a suitable letter or numeral that conforms as nearly as possible to designations   already   assigned.   We’ll   discuss engineering department divisions later in this chapter. The  engineer  officer  must  make  every  effort  to indoctrinate  his  division  officers  so  they  are  made aware of the importance of maintaining the chain of command. 2.  Homogeneity  of  assignment  requires  the following  practices:  (1)  each  division  in  the  department is assigned closely related tasks, (2) each unit under a division is assigned specific functions to perform, (3) individuals are assigned to divisions according to their abilities, and (4) individuals are not assigned to direct unrelated groups unless it is unavoidable. 3. Span of control requires the following practices: (1)  the  type  of  work  to  be  done  and  the  degree  of complexity and responsibility involved, (2) the number of personnel supervised by one person, (3) the area involved in the supervision, (4) the time available, and (5) the way in which the supervisor should use the time. 4.   Delegation   of   authority   should   be commensurate  with  assigned  responsibility  to  the lowest  level  of  competence  within  the  department. Delegation  does  not  relieve  an  officer  of  responsibility and accountability for the actions of the person to whom he   delegates   authority. The  TYCOM  (or  higher  authority)  establishes  the requirements  for  organization.  He  issues  organization charts and functional guides that encourage the use of the best techniques known for the operation of the engineering  department  and  the  administration  of assigned personnel. The process of organization has two   aspects–the   mechanical,   which   deals   with organization  structure;  and  the  dynamic,  which  deals with the integration of the human factors into the organization  structure.  While  higher  authority  is responsible for the mechanics of the organization, the engineer  officer  is  responsible  for  effective administration. THE ENGINEER OFFICER The engineer officer is the head of the engineering department and is responsible to the CO in all matters pertaining  to  his  department.  All  personnel  in  the engineering department are subordinate to the engineer officer. In addition to the general duties that apply to all heads of departments in naval ships, the engineer officer has certain duties peculiar to the head of the engineering department.  The  general  and  specific  duties, responsibilities,  and  authority  of  the  engineer  officer and  his  assistants  are  prescribed  in  OPNAVINST 3120.32B and discussed briefly in the following pages. General Duties The engineer officer will normally report to and confer  with  the  XO  for  the  administration  of  the engineering  department.  However,  he  may  confer directly with the CO in any matter relating to the engineering department whenever he believes such action is necessary. But, he must keep the XO informed of such matters. The engineer officer must keep the CO informed of the  operational  readiness  and  actual  operation  of  the main propulsion and electrical plants and of the damage control  organization  and  systems.  The  CO  must approve the disabling of any machinery or equipment in the engineering department if such action will adversely affect the safety or operation of the ship. When such disablement  will  adversely  affect  the  ship’s  ability  to accomplish   its   mission,   the   TYCOM   or   fleet commander  (as  appropriate)  also  must  approve.  During the ship’s operating periods, the disablement of major items of machinery to perform routine maintenance should be kept to a minimum. 1-6