This book is essentially a compendium of investigative, analytical and design techniques, referred to here as "planning tools", which can be effectively used in project formulation. It is primarily intended for trainers who are conducting courses in planning agricultural and rural investment projects at national and international training institutions. However, it is also intended for planners themselves who face the practical challenge of formulating real projects.
The book comprises five volumes, each corresponding to a phase of the project formulation process; i.e. preparation, reconnaissance, design, analysis and documentation. Within each volume, a series of planning tools are presented which can be of help in carrying out the specific tasks required for that particular phase. Each planning tool is introduced by a methodological note explaining basic concepts and relevant theory. Case studies, based on real-life situations, help the reader to understand how the tools can be applied in practice. A special feature of this book is that the 27 planning tools featured are presented in the sequence in which they are most likely to be used in the formulation of agricultural and rural investment projects.