Appropriate and inappropriate uses of the strategic planning concept are identified, and significant literature on the subject is reviewed that gives both conceptual and practical guidelines. Included is a series of very simple to more complex planning models that colleges and universities can adopt or modify, depending on their circumstances, to plan strategically. The use of various strategic planning models is illustrated with case examples from 11 institutions, including Iowa State University, Millikin University, the University of Minnesota, Bradley University, San Diego State University, and Edmonds Community College. External environment and leadership issues are addressed, including the concepts of positioning and "satisficing." Devices for environmental scanning are reviewed, followed by discussions of information in context and the historical-intellectual origins of the strategic concept. The first half of this report is written largely for the administrator, using the case examples, and the second half is written for the serious student of the strategic concept. This document contains approximately 170 references, most of which are annotated. (LB)