How do you assess administrative unit performance?

1 Define clear and realistic goals

The first step to assess administrative unit performance is to define clear and realistic goals that align with your organization's vision, mission, and strategy. Goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), and reflect the expectations and responsibilities of your administrative unit. You should also communicate your goals to your team members, and involve them in the goal-setting process to ensure their commitment and motivation. By defining clear and realistic goals, you can establish a common direction and a shared understanding of what constitutes success for your administrative unit.

2 Monitor and evaluate processes

The second step to assess administrative unit performance is to monitor and evaluate the processes that your team uses to achieve your goals. Processes are the methods, procedures, and standards that guide your administrative unit's work, such as planning, organizing, budgeting, reporting, communicating, and collaborating. You should regularly review and analyze your processes to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and to determine if they are efficient, effective, consistent, and compliant with your organization's policies and regulations. You should also use various tools and techniques to measure and improve your processes, such as flowcharts, checklists, audits, surveys, benchmarks, and best practices.

3 Measure and report outcomes

The third step to assess administrative unit performance is to measure and report the outcomes that your team delivers as a result of your processes. Outcomes are the results, outputs, and impacts that your administrative unit produces for your internal and external stakeholders, such as customers, partners, managers, and employees. You should use quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure and report your outcomes, such as productivity, quality, customer satisfaction, employee engagement, cost savings, revenue generation, and social responsibility. You should also use various methods and sources to collect and analyze your data, such as reports, dashboards, feedback forms, testimonials, and case studies.

4 Solicit and provide feedback

The fourth step to assess administrative unit performance is to solicit and provide feedback to your team members and stakeholders. Feedback is the information and opinions that you receive and give about your administrative unit's performance, such as praise, criticism, suggestions, and recognition. You should solicit and provide feedback regularly and constructively, using various channels and formats, such as meetings, emails, surveys, reviews, and awards. You should also use feedback to celebrate your achievements, acknowledge your challenges, and identify your areas for improvement. By soliciting and providing feedback, you can foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement for your administrative unit.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?