PROGRAMED INSTRUCTION IS SEEN AS A COMPLETE SYSTEM OF TEACHING ORGANIZED AND DESIGNED TO MEET THE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF EFFICIENT INDIVIDUAL LEARNING. ITS METHODS PROVIDE THE MEANS FOR RESOLVING THE BROAD SCOPE OF INSTRUCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS WHICH INCLUDE THE NEED FOR BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP INSTRUCTION. THE SYSTEMS APPROACH CONCEPT, ORIGINALLY RELATED TO WEAPONS SYSTEMS, IS APPLIED TO PROGRAMED INSTRUCTION. IT REQUIRES DEFINING THE JOB OF EACH PERSON WORKING TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE A COMMON GOAL. DETAILING HIS TASKS, SPECIFYING PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS, AND STATING THE NECESSARY INTERACTIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN GROUPS. THREE SCOPES OF ACTIVITY, PERFORMED BY INDEPENDENT GROUPS ARE DEFINED AND ANALYZED. THEY ARE--THE CURRICULUM DIRECTOR AND THE PROGRAMER, WHO ANALYZE AND DEVELOP INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS, THE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WHO CARRY OUT THE METHODS AND PROCEDURES IN THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROCESS, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE, SUPERVISORY, AND PARENTAL GROUPS WHO, OPERATING OUTSIDE THE IMMEDIATE INSTRUCTIONAL ENVIRONMENT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY INFLUENCE THE QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION AND INDIVIDUAL LEARNING. IN ADDITION TO POSTULATING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS, EXAMPLES OF THEIR APPLICATION TO ACCOMPLISH OPTIMAL DESIGN OF INSTRUCTIONAL SEQUENCES IN EXISTING INSTRUCTIONAL ENVIRONMENTS ARE GIVEN. THIS ADDRESS WAS PRESENTED TO THE NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PROGRAMED INSTRUCTION (SAN ANTONIO, MARCH 27, 1963)