Manage vs. Administer — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on March 25, 2024
Managing involves overseeing and directing operations and people, focusing on efficiency and achieving goals. Administering centers on implementing policies and ensuring the procedures are followed, often with a focus on compliance and maintenance.
Difference Between Manage and Administer
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Managing is about taking charge of a situation, team, or project, emphasizing leadership, decision-making, and responsibility for outcomes. It often involves strategic thinking, resource allocation, and problem-solving to achieve specific objectives. Whereas administering is more about ensuring the smooth execution of established procedures and policies. It focuses on adherence to rules, regulations, and systems, often within an organizational or bureaucratic context.
In the context of a business, managing might involve setting targets, motivating staff, and innovating processes to enhance productivity and meet financial goals. On the other hand, administering could involve tasks such as payroll processing, record keeping, and compliance with legal standards, ensuring that the organization operates within established guidelines.
When it comes to projects, a manager typically leads the project, making critical decisions about direction, allocation of resources, and adjustments to meet project objectives. In contrast, an administrator might focus on logistical aspects, such as scheduling meetings, communicating with stakeholders, and maintaining project documentation, ensuring that the project’s infrastructure supports its goals.
In education, a manager in a school might be involved in curriculum development, teacher training, and strategic planning to improve student outcomes. Meanwhile, an administrator might handle enrollment, manage student records, and ensure compliance with educational policies and standards, focusing on the operational side of the institution.
In healthcare, a manager might oversee a department, focusing on improving patient care, managing budgets, and leading healthcare teams. An administrator, however, would likely concentrate on the operational aspects, such as ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, managing patient records, and handling billing and insurance issues, ensuring the facility runs smoothly.
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Comparison Chart
Focus
Strategic leadership and goal achievement
Implementation of policies and procedures
Key Activities
Decision making, problem-solving, leading
Ensuring compliance, record-keeping, maintenance
Context
Often involves direct oversight of people and projects
More focused on systems, policies, and procedures
Skills Required
Leadership, strategic thinking, flexibility
Attention to detail, organizational, compliance
Outcome Orientation
Goal and efficiency-driven
Process and compliance-driven
Compare with Definitions
Manage
Overseeing operations.
The manager oversees the day-to-day operations to ensure the team meets its sales targets.
Administer
Record keeping.
Administrators maintain detailed records of all transactions and communications.
Manage
Strategic planning.
She manages by setting clear objectives and mapping out strategies to achieve them.
Administer
Implementing policies.
She administers the company's HR policies to ensure compliance.
Manage
Leadership.
Managing effectively requires strong leadership to inspire and motivate employees.
Administer
Ensuring compliance.
Part of administering involves ensuring that operations comply with relevant laws and regulations.
Manage
Resource allocation.
Managers are responsible for allocating resources efficiently to maximize productivity.
Administer
Maintenance of systems.
Administrators ensure that all systems are up to date and function smoothly.
Manage
Problem-solving.
He manages to find creative solutions to unexpected challenges.
Administer
Operational support.
He administers the day-to-day logistics to support the project’s objectives.
Manage
Be in charge of (a business, organization, or undertaking); run
Their elder son managed the farm
Administer
To have charge of; manage.
Manage
Succeed in surviving or in achieving something despite difficult circumstances; cope
Catherine managed on five hours' sleep a night
Administer
To give or apply in a formal way
Administer the last rites.
Manage
To have charge of; direct or administer
Manage a company.
Manage a portfolio of assets.
Administer
To apply as a remedy
Administer a sedative.
Manage
To exert control over; regulate or limit toward a desired end
Manage the news to minimize political repercussions.
Managed smokestack emissions.
Administer
To direct the taking of (an oath).
Manage
To direct or supervise (employees or other staff)
She manages 20 people in the department.
Administer
To mete out; dispense
Administer justice.
Manage
To act as the manager of (a performer, for example).
Administer
To manage (a trust or estate) under a will or official appointment.
Manage
To succeed in accomplishing, achieving, or producing, especially with difficulty
Managed to get a promotion.
Managed a polite goodbye.
Administer
To impose, offer, or tender (an oath, for example).
Manage
To succeed in coping or dealing with
A drug that improves patients' ability to manage their disease.
Administer
To manage as an administrator.
Manage
To direct or conduct business affairs.
Administer
To minister
Administering to their every whim.
Manage
To continue to get along; carry on; cope
Learning how to manage on my own.
Administer
(transitive) To apportion out, distribute.
Manage
(transitive) To direct or be in charge of.
Administer
(transitive) To manage or supervise the conduct, performance or execution of; to govern or regulate the parameters for the conduct, performance or execution of; to work in an administrative capacity.
Manage
(transitive) To handle or control (a situation, job).
Administer
(intransitive) To minister (to).
Administering to the sick
Manage
(transitive) To handle with skill, wield (a tool, weapon etc.).
Administer
(legal) To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.
Manage
(intransitive) To succeed at an attempt in spite of difficulty.
He managed to climb the tower.
Administer
To give, as an oath.
Manage
(ambitransitive) To achieve (something) without fuss, or without outside help.
It's a tough job, but I'll manage.
Administer
(transitive) (medicine) To give (a drug, to a patient), be it orally or by any other means.
Manage
To manage to say; to say while fighting back embarrassment, laughter, etc.
"That's nice, dear!", she managed.
Administer
(transitive) (medicine) To cause (a patient, human or animal) to ingest (a drug), either by openly offering or through deceit.
We administered the medicine to our dog by mixing it in his food.
Manage
To train (a horse) in the manège; to exercise in graceful or artful action.
Administer
To manage or conduct, as public affairs; to direct or superintend the execution, application, or conduct of; as, to administer the government or the state.
For forms of government let fools contest:Whate'er is best administered is best.
Manage
(obsolete) To treat with care; to husband.
Administer
To dispense; to serve out; to supply; execute; as, to administer relief, to administer the sacrament.
[Let zephyrs] administer their tepid, genial airs.
Justice was administered with an exactness and purity not before known.
Manage
(obsolete) To bring about; to contrive.
Administer
To apply, as medicine or a remedy; to give, as a dose or something beneficial or suitable. Extended to a blow, a reproof, etc.
A noxious drug had been administered to him.
Manage
The act of managing or controlling something.
Administer
To tender, as an oath.
Swear . . . to keep the oath that we administer.
Manage
(horseriding) Manège.
Administer
To settle, as the estate of one who dies without a will, or whose will fails of an executor.
Manage
The handling or government of anything, but esp. of a horse; management; administration. See Manege.
Young men, in the conduct and manage of actions, embrace more than they can hold.
Down, down I come; like glistering PhaëthonWanting the manage of unruly jades.
The unlucky manage of this fatal brawl.
Administer
To contribute; to bring aid or supplies; to conduce; to minister.
A fountain . . . administers to the pleasure as well as the plenty of the place.
Manage
To have under control and direction; to conduct; to guide; to administer; to treat; to handle.
Long tubes are cumbersome, and scarce to be easily managed.
What wars Imanage, and what wreaths I gain.
Administer
To perform the office of administrator; to act officially; as, A administers upon the estate of B.
Manage
To guide by careful or delicate treatment; to wield with address; to make subservient by artful conduct; to bring around cunningly to one's plans.
It was so much his interest to manage his Protestant subjects.
It was not her humor to manage those over whom she had gained an ascendant.
Administer
Administrator.
Manage
To train in the manege, as a horse; to exercise in graceful or artful action.
Administer
Work in an administrative capacity; supervise;
Administer a program
Manage
To treat with care; to husband.
Administer
Administer ritually; of church sacraments
Manage
To bring about; to contrive.
Administer
Administer or bestow, as in small portions;
Administer critical remarks to everyone present
Dole out some money
Shell out pocket money for the children
Deal a blow to someone
Manage
To direct affairs; to carry on business or affairs; to administer.
Leave them to manage for thee.
Administer
Give or apply (medications)
Manage
Be successful; achieve a goal;
She succeeded in persuading us all
I managed to carry the box upstairs
She pulled it off, even though we never thought her capable of it
The pianist negociated the difficult runs
Manage
Be in charge of, act on, or dispose of;
I can deal with this crew of workers
This blender can't handle nuts
She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old
Manage
Come to terms or deal successfully with;
We got by on just a gallon of gas
They made do on half a loaf of bread every day
Manage
Watch and direct;
Who is overseeing this project?
Manage
Achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
Manage
Carry on or manage;
We could do with a little more help around here
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to manage a team?
Managing a team involves leading, motivating, and guiding team members towards achieving specific goals.
Why is managing considered more strategic than administering?
Managing is viewed as more strategic due to its focus on setting direction, making decisions that impact the future, and leading people towards goals.
Is administering limited to paperwork and compliance?
While administering includes paperwork and compliance, it also involves essential tasks like operational support and system maintenance.
How does managing impact an organization's culture?
Effective management can shape an organization's culture by setting norms, influencing attitudes, and modeling behaviors that align with goals.
What is the role of an administrator in an organization?
An administrator ensures smooth operation by implementing policies, maintaining records, and handling logistics.
Can one person manage and administer at the same time?
Yes, especially in smaller organizations, one person might both manage and administer, handling both strategic and operational aspects.
How do managing and administering differ in decision-making?
Managers often make strategic decisions affecting goals and directions, while administrators focus on decisions related to policy implementation and procedural adherence.
What skills are important for administering?
Key skills for administering include attention to detail, organizational abilities, and a thorough understanding of policies and procedures.
What skills are important for managing?
Important skills for managing include leadership, strategic thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication.
How does administering ensure organizational efficiency?
Administering contributes to efficiency by maintaining order, ensuring compliance, and supporting smooth operations.
What challenges do administrators face?
Administrators might contend with challenges like keeping up with regulatory changes, managing vast amounts of data, and ensuring procedural accuracy.
What challenges do managers face?
Managers often face challenges such as resource limitations, resistance to change, and balancing competing priorities.
Can effective administration compensate for poor management?
While effective administration can support operations, it cannot fully compensate for the strategic and leadership deficiencies of poor management.
How do technology advancements affect managing and administering?
Advances in technology can enhance both managing and administering by streamlining processes, improving communication, and facilitating decision-making.
What role does feedback play in managing and administering?
Feedback is crucial in both managing and administering for identifying improvement areas, adjusting strategies or processes, and enhancing overall performance.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
