Almost everyone experiences a micromanaging boss at some point in his or her career.  Bosses who micromanage likely do so because they are afraid.  They typically fear being seen as a screw-up, either because of a personal screw-up or because someone on the team screwed-up.  As a result, this boss is driven and works to control everything the team does to reduce risk.

So, what do you do?

1. Begin with a self-assessment.  Ask yourself:  Do I consistently deliver on time?  Do I meet my interim milestones?  Do I keep my boss informed?  Do I ask questions when I don't understand?  Do I propose alternatives when they are more appropriate?  If you fall short in these areas, it's time to do some work on self.  Just maybe, when the boss sees the change in you, you'll see a change in him or her.
2. Keep the boss informed.  If you have your act together and there's no reason for your boss to be on your case, you need to allay those unreasonable fears that you are going to screw up.  You do this by keeping your boss informed on your progress.
3. Create a plan.  When you receive an assignment, create a plan that provides the detail your boss wants.  What's the task?  What are the actions you plan to take to complete the assignment?  When will each action be completed?  What additional resources will be required?  Etc.  
4. Review your plan.  Discuss your plan with your boss and ask for input.  Give your boss an opportunity to get any concerns out on the table and addressed.  This may require you to change your plan.  Better to do it now than later.

By first having your act together, and then by creating a plan, by meeting the milestones you committed to meet including completing the assignment on time (and within any other constraints agreed to), and by reporting on your status, you will increase your boss' confidence and trust in you and reduce the need to intervene and monitor more directly.

And, for any micromanaging bosses who have read this far, these steps represent a possible simple plan of action to enable you to reduce your need to micromanage:

1. Ask for, discuss and reach agreement on project and task plans.
2. Hold staff accountable for meeting the plan's milestones including reporting to you.
3. Take a deep breadth.  Having created and agreed on a plan, your responsibility is to wait patiently for your staff to deliver according to the plan.  You also have the responsibility to help them hold themselves accountable by addressing missed milestones.

Micromanaging consumes scarce staff and management resources.  Take a step forward, and give each other occasion for some relief.