From 1980 to 1991, the University of Alberta undertook systematic reviews of all its academic and support units mostly for program improvement purposes, but also to acquire information for planning and budget decisions. This report responds to a 1988 request to examine the University's 1980-1988 experience with program reviews and to recommend future action. It outlines relevant literature concerning the review process, the review practices used in some Canadian universities, the review process used at the University of Alberta, the issues involved, the findings and recommendations of the examining committee, and suggestions for postsecondary institutions. In addition, the report provides an evaluation of the President's Advisory Committee on Campus Review, the committee that organized the review process, including cost-benefit relationships, follow-up activities, and overall impressions. The report reveals a positive response to the review process and presents the recommendation that all postsecondary institutions be involved in some form of continuous review activity. Contains 50 references. (GLR)