The Systems Approach Model (SAM) is a dynamic approach to planning adult and continuing education that is intended to provide the flexibility, creativity, and meaningfulness necessary to meet the needs and interests of an ever-expanding and ever-aging student population. The SAM model consists of the following dynamically interrelated and interdependent components: needs assessment, instructional planning and development, administration and budget development, program implementation, and formative summative evaluation procedures. Because SAM allows for entry at any phase and because evaluation occurs throughout the entire planning process, the model provides a viable alternative to program planning using existing linear models. Furthermore, SAM allows planners to attend to the planning process from the position of what is rather than what might be. Since SAM is a comprehensive system, it may be viewed as a holistic approach to the entire program planning and teaching or learning process as well as a complete planning process in itself. Industrial and corporate business environments, continuing education for professional groups, and corporate conferences are only a few of the diverse programs that can be planned with the help of the SAM model. (MN)