The dangers in abstract management within the university setting are described and considered in terms of the development of techniques that would enable the university to fully comprehend the content of its activities. The "Report on Unit Activities" at the Catholic University of Louvain is reviewed, dealing with the two-yearly inventory of the Belgian science potential, an experiment in analytical accounting, and procedures for annual reports on research units. The computerized data files are detailed as they relate to activities, characteristics, personnel, budget, and auxiliary files. Practical results of the annual unit report collections include accessible documentation, inventory research, university records, index of disciplines and specializations, analysis of outside appropriations, and breakdown of personnel time. The reports were chiefly used in the first two years to work out procedure, particularly for data control. Appendices are included in the original French. (LBH)