The "Planning Wheel" is an evolution of the original Systems Approach Model (SAM) that was introduced in 1986 by Murk and Galbraith. Unlike most current planning models, which are linear in design and concept, the Planning Wheel bridges the gap between linear and nonlinear processes. The "Program Planning Wheel" is designed to give community and economic developers and program planners a hands-on tool to start and stop at any point along a continuum. The Wheel, which combines the macrosystem and microsystem approaches to planning, highlights the following elements as the predominant components of the program planning process: evaluation and follow-up, educational process determinants, needs assessments, instructional planning, administrative and budget development, and program development and implementation. In addition, internal and external influences constantly revolve around the outer part of the Wheel, and each of the Wheel's main components has subdivisions providing key interrelated, independent models. The Planning Wheel's system approach may be used by administrators, instructors, trainers, and others to perform various planning-related tasks, including determining how to accomplish multiple tasks, determining how to keep ahead of the competition, and making the transition from program idea to program reality. (Contains 23 references) (MN)