THE INITIAL STEP IN PREPARING A SYSTEMS PLAN IS THE EXAMINATION OF THE STATUS, CAPABILITIES, AND PROBLEMS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM. SYSTEMS PLANNING REQUIRES THAT THE POTENTIAL PROJECT BE IDENTIFIED, EVALUATED, AND PLACED IN PRIORITY FOR LATER DEVELOPMENT. A COMPLETED SYSTEMS PLANNING REPORT SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: DEFINITIONS OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES; IDENTIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS WHICH SUGGEST PRIORITIES; SEGMENTATION OF THE PROJECT INTO WORKABLE MODULES; PROVISIONS FOR COORDINATION OF MULTIPLE PROJECTS AND FOR MONITORING AND EVALUATING INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS; ESTIMATES OF REQUISITE PERSONNEL, HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE FOR COMPLETE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT; TIME AND COST ESTIMATES FOR COMPLETION OF SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES; COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS; MANDATORY REPORTING LEGISLATION AND LEGISLATION TO ENSURE SYSTEM SECURITY AND CONFIDENTIALITY; AND PROVISIONS FOR ONGOING PROJECT FUNDING. IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE THE TOTAL SYSTEM, WHILE INTEGRATED, MUST BE ABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES WITHOUT INFRINGEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS. DETAIL SYSTEM DESIGN ACTIVITIES SHOULD GIVE PRIORITY TO THE PROVISION OF MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUAL AGENCIES. AS A COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION SYSTEM WILL TRANSCEND ORGANIZATIONAL BOUNDARIES AND GOVERNMENTAL LEVELS, A HIGH DEGREE OF COOPERATION WILL BE REQUIRED AMONG PARTICIPATING USERS. MODULAR IMPLEMENTATION CAN HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH A COMPLEX SYSTEM. FURTHER, THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION TIME WILL BE LENGTHY BEFORE TOTAL INTEGRATION IS ACHIEVED. CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND PLANNING WILL BE REQUIRED IN THE AREAS OF ORGANIZATIONAL PLACEMENT AND STRUCTURE OF DEVELOPMENT STAFF, STAFF CONFIGURATIONS, PRIVACY AND SECURITY, AND FUNDING. ONE REFERENCE IS INCLUDED. (JAP)