further Improvement of science-production lntegraton forms I les In the development of the programme-target planning of the Innovative cycle. 326 FORECASTING AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT IN PLANNING SCIENTIFIC AND TEC~NOLOGICAL PROGRESS IN THE USSR INTRODUCTION Under modern conditions of the development of S and T progress every viable system of management of this process •hould Inevitably lean on scientifically substantl1ted forecasting of science and technology and assessment of their socio-economic effects while formulating Its policy. MaJor tasks of forecasting In the system of managing S and T progress at the national eco­ nomy or branch level consist In: Identification and assessment of general trends In developme.At of·,separete dlr.ectlons of S and T progress as well as their Indicators; assessment of probabili­ties of achelvlng this or that level of technology In various fields and directions of S and T development with due account of lntertla of the Identified trends; Identification of future goals of the development of S and T progress on the basts of more general goals of socio-economic development; forecasting and assessment of variants of achieving the formulated goals from the standpoint of time, required resources and probabilities of achievement; substantiation of choice of planning and management decisions In the system of managing S and T progress taking account of possible socio-economic effects; and, finally, conti­ nuous forecasting of the process of fulfilling planning and management decisions. Thus, forecasting Is present In alI stages of management cycle, ·from elaboration of grads to their realization. Major problems encountered In the organization of S and T forecasting at various levels of managing S and T progress ref­ lect fts specific peculiarities consisting In the form of scien­tific and management activities, Its place and role In general system of management. These peculiarities Include the variety of forecasting organizational forms both In different countries and In any given country. 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of forecasting and socio-economic assessment in planning scientific and technological progress, specifically in the context of the Soviet Union. It highlights the need for scientifically substantiated forecasting and assessment to formulate policy, and mentions the identification of trends, assessment of probabilities, and substantiation of planning and management decisions. The text does not explicitly mention any specific industry, sector, or activity, but rather focuses on the general principles and processes of science and technology planning.

**Category**
Science and technology