To handle my workload as a dean and professor, I focus on what needs to be done first and what’s most important. I delegate tasks to trusted team members so I can concentrate on key responsibilities, and I have hired good office support to help with daily tasks. I also use technology to make work easier and quicker, which allows me to balance my roles as a teacher, researcher, and administrator more effectively.

Balancing administrative tasks with academics can be challenging, especially when faculty are assigned additional responsibilities like fee collection, admission canvassing, and managing paperwork for NAAC, NBA, and NIRF accreditation. To cope efficiently, automate repetitive tasks like fee tracking using tools like Tally and admission management using Zoho CRM. Prioritize urgent accreditation-related tasks and delegate wherever possible, especially documentation. Digital solutions like Google Drive can help store and manage accreditation proofs systematically. By automating and delegating, faculty can balance administrative duties while focusing on academic excellence without being overwhelmed.

In my experience, the workload only increases. It has been helpful to divide new efforts into a tactic or strategy. I look at the date we need to have the initiative completed and then prioritize it within the tactic/strategy column. Inevitably, others will need to be involved, so I consult my calendar to see when next we meet, and if there is no date, schedule it as soon as possible. Others have huge workloads too, so I can't expect they can "jump" when I need them to. We need to all build efforts into our work weeks. Benchmarking on a whiteboard works for me. It's visual, I can cross-off tasks completed for a sense of completion and add/modify as necessary.

To manage a heavy admin load, batch similar tasks, set dedicated time blocks for admin work, use templates for repetitive communications, apply the two-minute rule to quick tasks, limit and streamline meetings, and regularly review workflows to eliminate redundancies.

Also, All documents in different formats of same data for various accreditation is like "same coffee in different variety of cups".This should be unified for all accreditation work.This can be an option to reduce the burden on faculties and supporting staff

Effective task managment can be carried out by the following strategy: 1. Prioritise ! Prioritise ! Prioritise! - Don't fall into the temptation of having it all and doing it all. Learn to choose and prioritise your work. 2. Then Delegate , but remember to facilitate - At times , you want to do it all as you think delegating might make you lose control. Keep facilitating while you delegate. 3. Also Automate - Learn new skills that can make life easy for you!

As a professor in medical education, balancing administrative tasks with teaching and governance is challenging. Automation tools are helpful, but using systems tailored to academia, such as those for assessments or accreditation, ensures alignment with educational goals. Prioritization should focus on tasks that enhance both compliance and student outcomes. Delegation is essential but can also serve as a mentorship opportunity for junior faculty, allowing them to develop leadership skills. Establishing clear boundaries between administrative and academic work is crucial to maintaining focus on teaching excellence and ensuring overall productivity.

Feeling like you're drowning in a sea of admin tasks? Been there. When you’re buried in paperwork, efficiency becomes your lifeline. First, set clear priorities. Divide tasks into must-dos and can-waits. That way, you’re tackling the real fires, not just the ones screaming the loudest. Batch similar tasks together—if you’re emailing, knock them all out in one sitting rather than jumping between different jobs. Automate where possible. Use tools like scheduling software or templates to cut down on repetitive work. Finally, delegate. Don’t let pride keep you from offloading tasks to a colleague or even outsourcing when needed. It’s about working smarter, not harder.