Biomedical research programs address questions vital to expanding knowledge and improving health, but are resource intensive. Therefore, careful consideration of the existing research environment during program planning is needed. We present how a combination of methods grounded in evaluation practice inform strategic planning for biomedical research programs managed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund. Frequently used methods include analysis of the NIH research portfolio, landscape scans to identify other funding entities in the research area, and review of the scientific literature. In addition, input from experts on the science topic is often elicited through workshops, webinars, and public Requests for Information. This iterative process includes strategies for working with and building consensus among key stakeholders so informed decisions about research direction, resources, and funding can be made. Evaluators looking to apply evaluation practice to program planning will benefit from the real‐world experiences of the NIH Common Fund.#Eval16 #research #FederalEvaluation #Conference2016 #Planning