The accreditation self-study provides an institution with the opportunity to identify and understand its strengths and weaknesses and use this understanding in developing plans for future institutional change. Four elements contribute to an effective planning or change process: (1) careful assessment of the environment to identify, forecast and assess the implications of external conditions which are of strategic importance to the institution; (2) internal resource auditing and program evaluation to determine how well prepared the institution is to pursue particular strategic directions; (3) institutional master planning based on a review of the institution's history, philosophy, operations, and external environment; and (4) priority setting and resource allocation. Since 1982, Cuyahoga Community College (CCC) in Ohio has employed a strategic planning model incorporating these elements. The process resulted in the development of an action-oriented and programmatic "Blueprint for Excellence in the Third Decade," which serves as the framework for decisions involving educational resources and programs. Review and evaluation of academic programs have also received increased emphasis at the college since the implementation of the planning model, with program evaluation focusing primarily on current and future market conditions and needs. The self-study assists institutional planning in that it requires confirmation of an institution's mission statement, provides essential planning data, enhances attitudinal commitment and the predisposition to analysis, and demands strong executive leadership. (EJV)