This dissertation describes the process of creating a guidebook that developmental education administrators can use to build their capacity as leaders, learners, and program planners. The guidebook is the product of a qualitative study designed to better understand how community college administrators who have program planning responsibilities for struggling developmental education students learned to become effective in their work. Both the content and the format of the guidebook were developed from the findings of this research. The dissertation reports each step of the process used in developing the guidebook, including research, design, and field testing. The research design uses qualitative research methods within a social constructivist paradigm. This approach was selected for its strengths in exploring the meaning that adults make in their lives. The methods and instruments used in the study included a recruitment survey, Critical Incident Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and preference inventories. Three phases of the study were conducted: (1) needs assessment, (2) materials development, and (3) field testing. The study sample consisted of 33 total participants, including both developmental education administrators and expert reviewers. The findings of the study's needs assessment centered on how administrators learned to be effective in their work as program planners, what they learned was necessary for their work, and their preferences for resource materials designed to serve their learning needs. Methods of learning included transferable experience, formal education, professional development, literature, networks, and mentors. Critical areas of content included contextual information on developmental education, educational administration, and program planning. Materials preferences included a clean design, unbiased tone, easy accessibility and navigation, and a comprehensive list of current resources. The guidebook developed from the findings of this study is entitled the "Developmental Education Administrator Guidebook: Key Topics for New and Experienced Decision Makers in Developmental Education." The guidebook offers a series of executive summaries on topics of relevance to developmental education administrators, focused on contextual topics, learning and leadership, and program planning. It contributes to improved practice by providing accessible and concise professional development resources for developmental education administrators in their efforts to better serve struggling developmental education students. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]