Understanding the Administrative Process

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This document discusses the administrative process in educational administration. It outlines the components of the administrative process as Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coord…

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  • Administrative Process

PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND

MANAGEMENT
not guided by the official organizational patterns of relationship. Such interactions however, do
change the experience, knowledge, attitudes and emotions of people. He also asserted that
individual satisfaction greatly affects organizational achievement.

Several other scholars made significant contribution towards behavioural science movement,
the most notable being Douglas Macgregor, with his theory X and Y, Fredrick Herzberg and
Abraham Maslow. The work of these theorists is presented in detailed form in the lesson on
motivation theories.

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS

INTRODUCTION

In our last sub topic, we studied the educational administration theories. We shall now explore
the functions of an administrator? This concern was addressed by Fayol in early 20 lh century.
As early as 1916, Fayol dealt with what he called the elements of management - Planning,
Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating and Controlling. The administrative process is a
conceptualization intended as a useful guide to the administrator that suggests how the
educational administrator would behave if they want their activity to result to the best
attainment of objectives.

3.3. Components of the Administrative Process (POSDCoRB)

attached special meaning to each element. Since then, numerous other variations of the list have
been suggested. The better known of these variations is that of Gullick and Ucwick (1935).
Gullick's taxonomy, better known or memorized in educational administration as POSDCoRB,
was for long seen to be the ultimate in administrative thought. POSDCoRB is an abbreviation
coined from the first letter of each word in the list.

P-Planning

O-Organizing

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PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND
MANAGEMENT

S-Staffing

D-Directing

C-Coordinating

R-Reporting

B-Budgeting

Fayol's treatment of the administrative functions shown above had a major impact on
subsequent formulations of the administrative process (such as Gullick's).When discussing the
process of administration; it is convenient to describe each function of the process separately.
This however, does not mean that administrative processes are a series of discrete functions;
they may be performed simultaneously. Gullick's POSDCoRB stands for activities necessary to
the proper functioning of the administrative process and he acknowledged it as an adaptation of
Fayol's functional analysis.

Planning

According to Gullick, it is the working-out in broad outline the things that need to be done and
the methods for doing them to accomplish organization's objectives. It is one of the most
important administrative functions because it sets the pattern for other activities to follow. It
encompasses four elements,

i. Evaluating environmental forces and organizational resources- this enables us to know


where we stand know the problems we need to solve, understand dangers of the
situation and the expected results.
ii. Establishing goals (both for enterprise and individuals)
iii. Developing strategies and plans
iv. Formulating decision-making processes

Planning is generally accorded primacy since logically it is the first function that is performed.
The results of planning are plans that serve as guide for the actions of members of staff. Some

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PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND
MANAGEMENT
plans are developed to serve a given project, for example, building a new plant, or school hall
.Some become relatively permanent in nature and are called standing plans, for example,
schemes of work, policies, procedure and methods.

In its simplest form, planning is an activity that can be executed by any member of the
organization. A teacher may plan their individual dairy for his or her work schedule. Planning
involves setting missions and objectives and the actions from alternatives. It involves decision-
making and choosing future courses of action from alternatives. Planning bridges the gap
between where we are and where we want to be in future. It thus involves introduction of new
things and workable implementation strategy. Although the future cannot always be accurately
predicted, unless there is planning, actions will be aimless and left to chance. Plans enable
people to know their purposes and objectives, their tasks and the guidelines to follow.

Organizing

People working together have roles to play .Role implies that people have definite purpose or
objectives. Staff in organization will work effectively if they know the part they are to play in
any team operation and how their roles relate to one another. To design and maintain these
systems of role is the basic managerial function of organizing. Organizing involves:

i. Identifying and classifying the activities


ii. Grouping the activities (departmentation)
iii. Assigning each group to a manager (supervisor)

Organizing therefore, involves establishing an internal structure of roles for people to fill in an
organization. It ensures that all tasks are assigned

Gullick defines organizing as the establishment of the formal structure of authority through
which work subdivisions are arranged, defined and coordinated for the defined, objective. It is

assigned and coordinated .Organizing involves laying out the program of the ' enterprise and
assigning responsibilities and functions to members of staff. Organizing in may be seen as

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PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND
MANAGEMENT

establishing order, function and design. That is, after plans have been developed, the emphasis
moves to designing and developing an organization that can implement the plans.

Staffing

This refers to hiring and training members of staff and maintaining favorable working,
conditions. It is the whole personnel function of bringing and training staff after which,
ensuring that the conditions of work in which they operate are favorable.

Staffing may also be defined as the filing and keeping filed the positions in the organizations
structure. It involves identifying work force requirements, inventorying the people available,
recruiting, selecting, placing, promoting, planning their career, compensating and training (staff

Directing

It is sometimes referred to as commanding or simulating. It is the continued supervision of


workers and their work, making decisions and leading the enterprise. This function is
performed at all levels of authority and in all departments of the enterprise. After policies have
been formulated and issues of staffing resolved, the next logical step becomes directing the
employees toward attaining the stated goals. The essential function of directing is to get
employees to perform towards achieving the goals. It involves motivating and influencing
employees.

Coordinating

In any organization efforts are made in different ways. Employees working for similar interest
may interpret them differently. It becomes important to reconcile differences in approach, effort
or interest and to harmonize individual goals to contribute to organizational goals. Coordinating
therefore is inter-relating the, parts of the total enterprise into a harmonious whole and avoiding
conflict and duplications, which interfere with the entire enterprise.

Teachers at the different levels of the school coordinate to ensure smooth transition from one
class to the next. This could be for the purpose of content sequencing .Also, teachers teaching

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PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND
MANAGEMENT
different streams need to coordinate to ensure their activities are in sync. Teachers in different
departments may need to coordinate to avoid duplication.

Coordination is necessary for integrating specialized and diverse functions into one whole. It
assists individual staff members to work together in a team relationship. An often used way of
coordination is having one person responsible for knowing what ill others in the group are
doing, so that he/she relates activities of each person to that of others. The person charged with
coordination must:

i. Know the relations among people


ii. Understand allocation of tasks
iii. Know the division of labour necessary to achievement

Reporting

This entails keeping all members of staff informed of what goes on so that they may be able to
perform their part or role in a harmonious and coordinated way. This involves keeping the
subordinates and their superiors informed through records, research, inspection and memo. The
head teacher is responsible to educational authorities and society for whatever is done at the
institution. It is important therefore that records are kept and reports sent to concerned parties.

Budgeting

Budgeting refers to fiscal planning, accounting control and maintaining the financial stability of
the enterprise. Budgeting involves preparing formal statements of future expenditure, revenues
and expected profits to control the use of the organization's financial resources. Budgeting is a
detailed administrative practice used to ensure goals, plans and policies are met. They set a
standard for output (production). By specifying resources to be used, budgeting helps
successful implementation of strategies. Budgeting leads to efficient use of resources, preserves
resources, and establishes a mechanism for analysis. It is concerned with all that goes on in the
enterprise in the form of fiscal planning, accounting and control.

Activity

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Common questions

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Gullick's POSDCoRB model comprises seven components: Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting. Each component plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of an organization. Planning involves outlining organizational objectives and deciding on the methods to achieve them, setting the stage for subsequent actions . Organizing establishes a structure of roles and authorities, enabling coordinated effort towards set objectives . Staffing ensures the right personnel are selected and trained to fulfill organizational roles effectively . Directing involves guiding and motivating employees to work towards organizational goals . Coordinating ensures that individual efforts align with group objectives, preventing duplication and conflict . Reporting provides necessary feedback through records and communications, ensuring all parts of the organization are informed and aligned with goals . Finally, Budgeting involves fiscal planning and resource management to ensure financial stability and support for organizational strategies . These components are interdependent, with the success of each relying on effective execution and feedback from others.

Planning serves as a critical function within an organization by creating a roadmap from the current state to desired future states. It involves setting missions and objectives, analyzing environmental factors and organizational resources, and formulating strategies and decision-making processes to bridge gaps effectively. Short-term planning may involve specific projects like building a new facility or developing a curriculum, requiring detailed scrutiny of current capabilities and alignment with immediate objectives . Long-term planning, on the other hand, refers to more permanent structures such as policies and procedures that guide sustained organizational growth and adaptation. This involves setting standing plans that define schemes of work and methods to achieve broader goals . Planning's role in bridishing gaps is significant as it allows organizations to adapt to changes and aims for realistic and strategic progression towards defined goals.

In educational management, budgeting plays a pivotal role in fiscal planning and resource allocation by establishing a financial framework that guides decision-making and operational activities. It involves preparing detailed statements of expected expenditures, revenues, and profits, which serve as benchmarks for financial efficiency and accountability . Through budgeting, educational administrators can ensure that resources are used effectively to support essential functions such as staffing, curriculum development, and student services. It provides a mechanism for monitoring fiscal health and enables the management to control expenditures and prioritize spending in line with institutional goals . By facilitating the strategic use of financial resources, budgeting helps educational institutions maintain fiscal discipline and accomplish their mission within allocated financial limits.

Fayol's early ideas on management functions—describing them as Planning, Organizing, Commanding, Coordinating, and Controlling—remain foundational in today's educational administration by providing a framework for effective leadership and operational efficiency. His conceptualization set the groundwork for adapting administrative theory to the practical realities of organizational management, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and structured coordination . In contemporary settings, these principles are integral for managing the complexities of educational institutions. They guide administrators in maintaining operational standards, fostering cohesive teams, and ensuring alignment with educational goals . Despite the evolution of educational environments, Fayol’s pragmatic approach offers timeless insights into aligning resources and efforts with institutional objectives, underscoring its enduring relevance.

Coordination within an educational institution plays a crucial role in reconciling differences and integrating diverse functions by ensuring that all departments and individuals work towards common educational goals. It involves organizing activities so that each component of the institution complements the others, leading to a harmonious and integrated effort . Coordination helps in aligning different departments, such as administration, teaching, and student services, so that there are no conflicts in resource allocation or efforts. For example, teachers from various departments might coordinate to develop a coherent curriculum that prevents content duplication and ensures sequential learning from one grade to the next . By establishing responsible individuals tasked with overseeing how activities relate to one another, coordination facilitates a unified strategy that bridges departmental divides and promotes institutional unity.

To effectively direct staff towards achieving institutional objectives, educational administrators should employ several strategies. Firstly, they should establish clear and attainable goals, effectively communicating these to ensure alignment with organizational objectives . Secondly, motivating staff through positive reinforcement and recognition of achievement is vital. This can involve professional development opportunities, acknowledging teaching contributions, and providing constructive feedback . Thirdly, administrators should foster an inclusive culture that embraces teamwork and collaboration, ensuring that staff feel part of the decision-making process. Regular and transparent communication aids in addressing any concerns and aligning efforts towards common goals. Additionally, setting a clear framework for performance expectations and offering guidance when needed can drive consistency and quality in educational deliverables. These strategies enable educational institutions to harness collective efforts towards shared objectives effectively.

Within the POSDCoRB framework, reporting serves as a vital feedback mechanism that supports managerial decisions in educational settings by keeping all stakeholders informed about the ongoing activities and progress within an institution. It ensures that information flows from the ground level to higher management, allowing for informed decision-making rooted in current reality . Through records, memos, and research insights, reporting helps administrators assess the effectiveness of strategies and modify actions as necessary to align with educational goals. This function aids in ensuring accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement by providing data necessary for evaluating educational outcomes and operational efficiency . Thus, effective reporting strengthens decision-making capabilities by offering a clear picture of institutional health and progress.

Organizing is central to establishing an effective internal structure as it defines formal pathways of authority and responsibility within an educational institution. It involves identifying and classifying activities necessary for achieving educational objectives, grouping these activities into departments, and assigning them to managers or supervisors . By establishing clear roles and relationships among staff, organizing ensures that tasks are appropriately assigned and that roles complement each other, thereby minimizing duplication of effort and reducing conflicts. This structured environment fosters discipline and consistency, facilitating coordination and enhancing overall institutional efficiency . This process of defining roles solidifies an institution's capability to enact its educational mission productively and cohesively.

The integration of motivational theories by MacGregor, Herzberg, and Maslow can significantly enhance organizational achievement in educational settings by providing a comprehensive approach to employee motivation. MacGregor's Theory X and Y illustrate different assumptions about human behavior: Theory X assumes employees are inherently lazy, while Theory Y suggests that employees are motivated to work and take on responsibility . Combining this with Herzberg's focus on motivators (like job satisfaction and growth) and hygiene factors (such as working conditions) highlights the necessity of creating a supportive work environment that mitigates dissatisfaction and promotes motivation . Furthermore, Maslow's hierarchy of needs provides a layered understanding of employee motivations, from basic needs to self-actualization, placing emphasis on addressing different levels of employee needs to foster holistic motivation . By applying these theories collectively, educational administrators can tailor strategies that consider foundational needs, job enrichment, and intrinsic motivations, thereby driving greater organizational engagement, commitment, and achievement.

Herzberg's motivator-hygiene theory, combined with Maslow's hierarchy of needs, provides a powerful framework for improving employee satisfaction in educational institutions. Herzberg's theory suggests that motivators such as recognition, responsibility, and personal growth can enhance job satisfaction, while hygiene factors such as working conditions and salary must be managed to prevent dissatisfaction . By identifying and improving motivators, educational leaders can foster an environment that promotes intrinsic motivation among staff. Complementarily, Maslow's hierarchy of needs implies that educators must satisfy basic needs—such as safety and belonging—before they can fulfill higher-order needs like esteem and self-actualization . By addressing both motivational elements and fundamental needs, educational institutions can create a supportive work environment that encourages professional development and enhances job satisfaction, leading to improved organizational outcomes.

PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND 
MANAGEMENT 
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not guided by the official organizational patterns of relation
PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND 
MANAGEMENT 
 
 
 
28
 
 
 
 
S-Staffing 
D-Directing 
C-Coordinating 
R-Reporting 
B
PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND 
MANAGEMENT 
29 
 
plans are developed to serve a given project, for example, bui
PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND 
MANAGEMENT 
 
 
 
30
 
 
 
 
establishing order, function and design. That is, after
PAC 102: EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND 
MANAGEMENT 
31 
 
different streams need to coordinate to ensure their activitie

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