Methods of planning an objective-based quality assurance program are described. The major steps in the planning are as follows: (1) List the primary pharmacy functions and their respective components; (2) prepare objectives for each function and its components; (3) establish priority of the objectives; (4) convert the highest priority objectives into criteria and their respective standards; (5) develop methods and procedures for determining compliance with the criteria and standards; (6) develop and organize the quality assurance program operating procedures; and (7) implement the program. Following this plan should help assure than the objectives for which a pharmacy's routine activities are conducted are consistently achieved.