The manual first presents basic planning principles applicable to any organization's activities along with a general planning framework that includes a definition and example of each plan element. Planning steps are the identification of current and ideal conditions, problem analysis, an action plan, implementation and monitoring, evaluation, and replanning. The next section of the manual applies the planning framework to VJOP/II. The 'current condition' for all projects is violent juvenile crime in the neighborhood, and the ultimate goal is to prevent and reduce this crime. Steps in developing a VJOP/II action plan are a review of the current condition, a neighborhood needs assessment, project goal development, plans to achieve project goals, feedback on action plans from the neighborhood, modification of the draft plan in response to feedback, and the final action plan sent to the program manager in the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The manual's final section discusses the effective use of the action plan through monitoring of its implementation, evaluation of its impact, and replanning based on monitoring and evaluation findings.