Administration refers to the managerial functions and operational activities involved in running an organization efficiently and effectively to achieve its objectives. This includes areas such as planning, leadership, control systems, record-keeping, compliance, and personnel management.
Aspects of Administration
- Day-to-day administrative tasks keep the organization functioning smoothly through communications, documentation, formal decision-making processes, and oversight of staff
- Strategic administration guides long-term visioning, innovation, and adaptation to a changing environment
- Controls and procedures provide discipline, accountability, and transparency in functional areas like finance, legal, IT, and security
- Stakeholder relations involve communication of information to clients, suppliers, owners and the public
Example of Strong Administration
Clear administrative structures and delegation of routine responsibilities allowed the CEO to focus on high-level initiatives guiding the nonprofit through rapid service expansion.
Key Takeaways
Sound administration establishes operational efficiency through defined roles and standards while empowering managers to strategically steer an organization towards its goals.