Across the United States many chemistry departments are engaged in developing assessment plans. New guidelines from the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Professional Training request a department's latest self-assessment and a plan for acting on the recommendations. This manuscript describes assessment practices at institutions ranging in type from large public state institutions to small private liberal arts colleges. These practices are fit into a model of iterative cycles of assessment with the ultimate goal of providing data that can be used to improve courses and programs. The examples and case studies described herein can be used as models for adaptation or background information for the formulation of learning objectives and assessment plans. The contributions of the ACS Examinations Institute through its suite of examinations, including the Diagnostic for Undergraduate Chemical Knowledge, is also cited as an important element in helping departments develop their assessment plans. (Contains 4 tables, 1 figure and 1 note.)