Educational communications centers, also known as instructional resource centers or various other titles, bring together many pieces of equipment and technology formerly kept in separate areas. When they are brought together, these pieces require so large a budget that the budget is often brought under close scrutiny. As a result, those in charge of the technology must be sure each piece is serving a function. Ways to do this and justify the budget are presented here. Four questions should be asked: what is the present purpose of each item, what is its former function, what are the goals of the program--in behavioral terms--and what resources will meet those goals. Four resources to meet the goals are available: personnel, materials, facilities and equipment, and money. This final resource is a result of our ability to express the first three resources. After going through this analysis, the part that each piece of equipment plays in achieving the goals should be clear, and understanding should be imparted of how a budget increases when one reviews how money has been spent, not just how new money will be spent. (JK)