Responsibility and authority

So much can so wrong with this requirement.  The interpretations or should I say misinterpretations have caused so much grief for the uninitiated.  So let’s cut through the bunk with this paste;
5.5.1 Responsibility and authority
Top management ensures that responsibilities and authorities are defined and communicated within the company.

And that is it.  Nothing more.  How can you do this?  Before you go developing stuff, look at the complexity, expectations, risk exposures and communications of your company.  Is there something you already do that meets this one little sentence?  Does ‘definition’ mean ?documentation.  The short answer is no, but the level of understanding once communicated may require ‘ensure-ance’ via something that is documented.
Policies, responsibilities sections in procedures, published delegated authority lists, job descriptions, training records all could be used either singularly or in combination with each other.

And to what extent?  Here is a real life situation from our very own certified QMS.  We have an organisation chart, job descriptions, procedure sections and training.  Whilst we only have 7 documented procedures, we do have 18 policies (normally only a paragraph, of which others might define as business rules) that map out exactly who is who in the wonderful zoo at quality.com.au.