The Applications Program strategic plan calls for a Program Planning and Assessment (PP&A) activity to engage diverse user communities. The PP&A process is a structured activity in which the Applications Program and its partners conceive, plan and formulatgge innovative and user-driven applications projects. the process works with NASA Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) and the non-NASA science and technology communites to match the priority user needs againsta available and emerging Earth science results, data and technology. The result of the PP&A process is the identification of priority appications opportunites, and teh developement of an anual "Investment Portfolio." this portfolio will target Program resources by identifying and prioritizingkey theme Areas and Applications Elements.