Such conception does not usually exist in other countries of the world and the issue of planning is settled by teams of experts or in academic circles. The welcome accorded to the issue particularly by those growing fond of it recently make it necessary to define planning and to give its background in Iran. Planning has a fifty year long background in Iran and though it seems to be in the middle of its way, the country is actually learning how to take proper steps in this regard. The development plan is a document in which favorable economic and social conditions within the framework of anticipated limitations and resources have been drawn up and suitable policies have been adopted. However, attention should be paid to this fact that drawing up the targets and policies in the plan documents will not necessarily lead to the realization of the goals and objectives of the plan and even there might be a long distance between the performance of the economic and social development plans and its forecast targets as was evident in the first and second development plans in Iran.
Planning has a fifty year long background in Iran.
The first economic development plan was launched din 1948 and five other development plans were enforced in the country until the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. At first, The implementation of the plan which dealt with national development projects, proceeded at a rapid pace but later it slowed down. The average period for implementation the first plan projects was estimated at seven years which in practice lasted for 10 years. The second development plan was launched after receiving approval from the fourth Majlis in 1995. In the course of the plan except in 1995, the percentage of targets achievement stood at 60 percent annually, with half of the development projects being behind schedule.