NASTRAN is a large digital computer program for static and dynamic structural analysis by the finite element approach, which has been in public use since 1970. Development under NASA sponsorship began in 1965 and continues to the present. NASTRAN was initially conceived as, and to a degree has become, an integrated, general purpose structures program with a wide spectrum of users, but with primary emphasis on aerospace applications. The paper reviews two aspects of the organization of NASTRAN: first, the objectives and specifications initially set for the program and the technical functions performed internally to achieve them; and second, the relationships between the groups of people involved in the planning, development, and distribution of NASTRAN. This paper reviews the original objectives for NASTRAN with respect to types of analysis, methods of analysis, problem size, computer types, user conveniences, maintainability, etc. and discusses how specific features of the program relate to the objectives. Particular attention is paid to the executive system, which is the main instrument of program organization in NASTRAN and which controls the sequence of operations, manages the secondary storage files, and maintains a restart capability. Problem solution functions are performed by independent subprograms, called functional modules, which may be entered only from the executive system. Since NASTRAN is sponsored by a government agency, its development is open to public scrutiny, and an examination of the history of its development should be of value to those engaged in, or planning, similar projects. The paper reviews the history of NASTRAN in terms of the functions and achievements of the participating government and industrial agencies. Additions and improvements subsequent to the initial development, and plans for future developments, are described. The present organizational structure for planning, developing, and distributing NASTRAN is outlined, and its effectiveness is evaluated in terms of the initial objectives and in terms of the present needs of various user groups.