An administrative procedure governs the public administration activities of the authorities. The German Administrative Procedure Act (VwVfG) defines Administrative Procedure as “(…) outward activity of the authorities that aim at the examination of the requirements, preparation, and the adoption of an administrative act or the conclusion of a contract governed by public law; it includes the adoption of the administrative act or the conclusion of a contract governed by public law.” (§ 9 VwVfG).

Source: Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz, edited (only available in German)