In developing a community-based adult literacy program, program planners need to consider who the program will serve, which strategies will best serve the target population of the program, and exactly how much stability and change are to be encouraged in the program. Once the planners of a community-based adult literacy program have answered these questions, they must determine the educational strategies, management procedures, and program linkages that will be most beneficial to the program's success. In doing this, the planners must consider their options carefully and must realize their need to make informed and definite commitments to their target audience. When deciding on an appropriate balance between change and stability within an emerging adult literacy program, planners must remain aware of the fact that while maintaining stability is a crucial aspect of the management of an organization, particularly in emerging organizations that depend upon credibility among their supporters and constituents for survival, programs that are unresponsive to their environment will not be effective and will eventually lose credibility among these same constituents and sponsors. Finally, the various individuals involved in an organization must balance their particular needs and preferences with those of other persons and with the needs of the organization as a whole. (MN)