This literature review discusses the nature of instructional development (ID) and the ID movement, and examines the factors affecting the success of ID in higher education, focusing in particular on the organization and implementation of ID programs. The role of ID agencies is discussed and the various characteristics of such agencies are considered in terms of advantages and disadvantages to the agencies. The types of projects that such agencies might best undertake are discussed in the context of both the long-term success of the agency and such factors as administrative location, staffing, size of project, and product versus people development. Methods for project generation and selection by ID agencies are also presented. Finally, the implementation of broad-based ID paradigms in higher education by such agencies is discussed, including consideration of such factors as institutional reward structures, administrative commitment, administrative location, instructional development procedures, team approach, faculty development, evaluation, and maximizing impact. The text is supplemented by five tables, and a 46-item bibliography is provided. (Author/EW)