[OIT] Org vs Workspace Administration Comparison

This article explains the differences between Slack Org (Enterprise Grid) Administration and Workspace Administration at UNLV, helping admins understand responsibilities and boundaries.

OIT + Distributed IT Knowledge Only: This article is intended for UNLV Slack Org Admins and Workspace Admins.

Overview

Slack Enterprise Grid separates administration into two levels:

  • Org (Enterprise Grid) Administration – centralized governance across all workspaces
  • Workspace Administration – day-to-day management within a specific workspace

This separation allows organizations to scale Slack while maintaining control and flexibility. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Key Differences

Area Org Admin Workspace Admin
Scope All workspaces in Enterprise Grid Single workspace
Focus Governance, security, compliance Collaboration, operations, user support
User Management Provisioning, SSO, lifecycle management Inviting, removing, and managing workspace members
Permissions Defines global policies and restrictions Applies workspace-level permissions within limits
Apps & Integrations Controls approvals, risk, and governance Manages workspace app usage
Channels Defines policies and standards Creates and manages channels
Compliance Audit logs, DLP, eDiscovery Supports compliance within workspace

How They Work Together

Org Admins and Workspace Admins collaborate to ensure Slack is both secure and effective:

  • Org Admins set policies and guardrails
  • Workspace Admins manage implementation and daily operations
  • Some settings can be delegated, while others remain locked at the org level

When a policy is enforced at the org level, it cannot be overridden by workspace admins. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

When to Contact an Org Admin

  • Requesting new workspace creation
  • Changing organization-wide security settings
  • Managing enterprise integrations or compliance tools
  • Resolving cross-workspace issues

When to Handle at the Workspace Level

  • Managing channels and memberships
  • Inviting users or guests
  • Approving standard app requests
  • Configuring workspace-specific settings

Best Practices

  • Clearly define roles and responsibilities between admin types
  • Document escalation paths between workspace and org admins
  • Align workspace practices with organizational policies
  • Maintain regular communication between admin groups

Need Additional Help?

If you need help determining responsibilities or resolving admin issues, contact the IT Help Desk at 702-895-0777 or submit a request through the IT Support Portal.

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