The first part of a report on a comprehensive review of the credit instructional programs offered by Pasadena City College (PCC), this volume provides a description of the evaluation procedures used, and a discussion of general issues that are major considerations for program improvement. Section I introduces the program review in terms of its objectives, limitations, characteristics, and general procedures. Section II focuses on issues at PCC affecting program review and instructional planning, including changing demographic patterns in the community; changing enrollment characteristics; PCC's educational goals; organizational climate; staff perceptions; organizational considerations; program quality; the need for a consistent management information system; and technical steps for implementation of a program review. Finally, general observations about PCC credit programs are made, including PCC faculty load comparisons; program balance; the master summary of program review outcomes by taxonomy of programs (TOP); and analyses of TOP's by size and growth patterns and in relation to PCC patterns. Survey instruments, departmental data, guidelines for the program review task force, and an analysis of programs at variance with PCC averages are appended. (LAL)