This article explores the organizational impediments and facilitators that influence the implementation of student learning outcomes assessment (SLOA). This review points to the importance of culture, leadership, and organizational policies to the implementation of SLOA. However, we need to approach research differently, both conceptually and methodologically, if we want to understand these key factors better. I argue that our understanding of implementation conditions is superficial due to systemic weaknesses in the research. The article provides a framework for defining these terms clearly, suggests theories that can be applied, and reviews key methodological changes that can improve the quality of research.