accordance with this decision ·1n order to create a machinery for the development of prognostication. Dozens of concrete prognoses have been elaborated on different directions for the development of science and technology. Prognostication has turned Into an Integral procedure of planning, pursuing the following goals: -analysis of social, econamlc and scientific-technical processes and tendencies, objective ties of socio-economic pheno­ mena under concrete historical conditions, assessment of forming situations and detemrlnitlon of major ·problems of economic development; -estimation of the action of these tendencies In the future and foreseeing new economic situations, new problems, requiring their solution; -determination of possible alternatives of development In the prospective for a substantiated selection of one or the other possible development ·and adoption of an optimum planned solution. Prognosis Is used for out! lnlng the area and possibilities, within whose framework real lstlc tasks and targets may be set. and for determining directions, that become the object of develo­ pment and later turn Into an object for adopting planned solu­ tions. Prognosis assists In considering versions of rendering active effect on the objective factors of future development. Despite the fact that prognoses are of prel lmlnary, variant character, It Is valuable that their horizon Is not restricted bY the planned period. The date of prognoses serve as the Initial material for the next stage of planning: selection of the targets of development ln.a certain planned period, elaborat1on of a national-pol !tical concept of the prospective plan. Thus, practice has demonstrated that the elaboration of a prognosis and the development of a plan are Interrelated stages ·of planned work In the general process of national-economic planning. The essential distinction of the plan Is that. as a result of alI the type$ and stages of planned work, It should be qual ltatlvely synonymous and directed toward achieving the 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the development of prognostication as a tool for planning in the context of economic development. It highlights the importance of analyzing social, economic, and scientific-technical processes to forecast future trends and make informed decisions. The text also mentions the use of prognosis in determining possible alternatives of development and selecting the most suitable plan. Given the focus on economic development and planning, it is likely that the text falls under the category of economic development.

**Category**
Economic development