This manual describes the Virginia Community College System's strategic and operational planning methodology for student services: the Student Services Planning Model (SSPM). Introductory material outlines the role, philosophy, and objectives of the SSPM; offers guidelines for its use and background to its development; and presents the assumptions underlying the model's application. Then the five-phase SSPM is described and illustrated. The model is shown to operate within a framework created by the general (i.e., social, political, and technological) environment; the operating environment of the broad educational context; and the internal institutional environment. The five phases of the model are seen as: (1) Pre-Planning, which includes the establishment of the basis for the plan; (2) Strategic Planning, which includes a review of mission and services; assessment of needs, issues, and capabilities; development of planning assumptions; specification of goals; and review of policies and procedures; (3) Operational Planning, which encompasses the specification of objectives and activities and the development of resource requirements and budgets; (4) Operation and Management of Services; and (5) Evaluation of Outcomes and the Process. The 18 steps incorporated in these phases are described and illustrated. Finally, the steps involved in the SSPM feedback process are presented. Appendices form the bulk of the report, including worksheets, forms, and survey instruments. (HB)