The lack of systematic crime prevention and criminal justice planning in different countries which did, nevertheless, spend up to 10 percent of their natonal budgets on identifiable criminal justice services, is emphasized by the omission of these items from many national devlopment plans. In drawing comprehensive, implementable plans national planners must set specific targets to be achieved over a planning period. In addition to the national level, planning must also take place at other levels (e.g., sectoral, program, project). Planning that is approached from above proceeds from objectives and targets decided upon by ministers, department heads, and experts and filters down through regional authorities until the implementation is reached. The best type of planning is approached from below; it begins at the local level, until plans reach the higher authorities through a country's hierarchical channels. Both approaches to planning, from above or below, have drawbacks, however, that must be considered in advance to ensure implementation. Evaluation is the key to successful planning -- determining the extent to which a plan is working and the modifications needed for its success. This essay is kept on a general level and the initially-mentioned linkages with criminal justice systems are not pursued in detail.