This document contains the project definition, the functional requirements, and the functional design for a proposed computer automation system for the continuous flow analyzer. The proposed system will accomplish real-time data acquisition, calibration, baseline correction, calculation of concentrations, dilution and remeasurement of offscale samples, on-line quality control checks, reagent blank subtraction, plotting of calibration curves and raw data, and bidirectional communication with the Sample File Control System. This proposed automation system will facilitate routine measurement of large numbers of samples, while providing the flexibility needed for a research environment. Two related publications are titled, 'The Continuous Flow Analyzer Automation System, Part II -- User's Guide,' and 'The Continuous Flow Analyzer Automation System, Part III -- Program Documentation'.