The guide describes for colleges and universities how to establish and conduct a program of continuous improvement of administrative operations. An objective appraisal-review process is described that relies on mobilizing the pool of managerial and analytical talent already existing at every institution. For decisionmakers, an overview of management appraisal principles and a model structure for such programs is presented. Practitioners are given detailed steps for conducting reviews of operations and comprehensive checklists covering general management and twelve specific functional areas common to campuses. Adaptability and flexibility are stressed. A chapter is devoted to how to establish a management appraisal program in multicampus systems. Examples are included from experiences in conducting appraisal reviews of operations at nine campuses of the University of California over four years. (Editor/MSE)