Continuing educators can gain knowledge about their programs' environments, as well as predict the outcomes of change processes, by utilizing an emerging systems concept called the communication model. Utilization of the communication model involves three steps: (1) diagramming the perceived reality of the organizational system, (2) using the diagram to guide data collection and analysis, and (3) constructing a functional theory to facilitate problem solving. The first step of diagramming a system can be facilitated by referring to the Walter L. Balk systems model. This model involves the following components: organizational evolution, organizational exchange, and internal components. Once a model representing the perceived reality of the organization under study has been designed, attempts can be made to secure data based on thematic content. In most cases, a comparative analysis is conducted of the changes which occurred in the organization's components. The third step reflects ways in which the nature of the data alter the theory to more accurately represent the situation under study. (CSS)