These guidelines are a management tool and resource for UNHCR field managers and our operational counterparts who have the responsibility of leading and coordinating planning processes in UNHCR field operations. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist the UNHCR field staff members and UNHCR partner staff members manage the planning process at all levels of an operation in the most effective and efficient way possible. The assumption underlying this emphasis on the planning process is that better planning processes lead to better quality results delivered on time in a cost effective manner.