This guide for individuals or groups charged with designing and implementing a planning process for a college or university begins by describing certain characteristics and components of planning that the planner must understand and by recommending that new planners avoid some actions until they have analyzed the situation and determined what initiatives are appropriate. Chapters 2-4 suggest a framework that the planner should utilize in analyzing the new planning environment, the potentials of the planner's role, the particular institutional needs, and the type of planning activities which are appropriate. An analysis of how planning has changed over the years and how the planner must reinterpret the literature and theory of planning based on emerging issues, new challenges, and new techniques is provided in chapter 5. Chapter 6, a planning bibliography, contains nearly 300 references and critical resources in each of several topical areas that are critical to developing understanding and to broadening competence for the new planner. A brief final chapter provides a list of 12 sources of information and 8 professional organizations. (JB)