Business leaders will today warn ministers against rushing to devolve further powers saying they risk damaging the economy.
John Cridland, the Director-General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), will make clear that his comments do not apply to the Smith Commission proposals for Holyrood.
But his remarks come amid calls for greater devolution to cities north and south of the border.
Speaking in Manchester, he will warn that politically motivated deadlines and "backroom deals" risk undermining the UK's internal market and damaging economic growth.
"Devolution shouldn't be about being different for its own sake," Mr Cridland will say, as he calls on ministers to be on their guard against damaging "devo cracks".
"It is important that where promises of further devolution have already been made - be that the Smith Commission in Scotland or the devolution of Corporation Tax in Northern Ireland - that these powers are delivered in order to give businesses in the devolved nations the certainty they need.
"But, going forward, the precedent set for "devolution by deadline" is a cause for concern," he will add.
"Any devolution of powers must be done in a careful, considered and transparent manner.
"And not through rushed backroom deals between politicians and civil servants".
He added that business wanted politicians to "'think-twice' before pressing ahead with decisions with real economic consequences."
He will also unveil three tests for "growth-friendly" devolution.
Policy makers should ask if there is evidence reforms will boost growth and protect the UK's internal market, if there is strong local ;leadership and if there is a clear commitment to minimise bureaucracy and complexity:
The CBI was at the centrer of a political storm over its stance during the independence referendum.
A number of businesses resigned from the organisation after it emerged that it had registered as a supporter of a No vote.
SNP Deputy leader Stewart Hosie said: "Having spent the referendum campaign attacking independence and supporting devolution - and acted in a shambolic manner when it registered with the No campaign - the CBI now seems to have regressed to the 1990s by attacking devolution again."
Ed Cox, Director of Ippr North, which is organising the event in Manchester, said: "The business case for devolution is unequivocal. Using the full potential of our cities and regions will bring down the deficit, rebalance the economy and raise living standards."
Jonathan Edwards, the Plaid Cymru MP, said: "The CBI are right to point out that fiscal powers are being devolved in a haphazard manner."
Hopes have been raised that Inverness and Aberdeen will be given a "city deal" like that announced for Glasgow by the Conservative-Lib Dem Coalition Government .
Extra powers for the Welsh Assembly are also expected to be announced by St David's Day, on March 1, and there have been calls across England for greater devolution to cities.
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