In an era of rising public criticism of education and decreasing resources, strategic planning can be a major tool for educational administrators who wish to respond to the increasing challenges their adult literacy programs face. Strategic planning can be defined as a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it. The strategic planning process includes designing, implementing, and monitoring plans for improving organizational or program decision making. Although various writers specify different numbers of steps in a strategic planning model, they generally agree on the following core activities that must be addressed: (1) reaching initial agreement among all the planning committee members; (2) defining the program or organizational mandate and mission; (3) formulating program objectives; (4) conducting SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis; (5) developing strategies and an action plan; (6) implementing the plan; and (7) monitoring and evaluating the outcomes of the implementation. Each of these activities has its own subprocess or substeps that need to be followed carefully. Strategic planning helps literacy program administrators to develop a clear vision of what their programs are about, who they serve, and in what ways. It also helps link this vision with the activities that will implement it. Strategic planning also helps administrators collaborate and communicate with relevant agencies, develop realistic goals, and develop an implementation strategy. Strategic planning is an extensive process that ensures program survival and growth in a rapidly changing environment. (KC)