This Education Sector Planning Working Papers series draws from a vast accumulation of ‘fi eld-based’ experience of IIEP staff members and consultants working with a diverse range of countries. The intention is to have a set of practical and easy-to-use guidelines on different aspects of the strategic planning of education that could be applicable in various contexts. These working papers have been prepared primarily for senior policy/decision-makers, for staff of Ministries of Education and national and regional institutions involved in technical aspects of planning and for international agency staff supporting national policy and planning. The objective of Working Paper 3, Strategic Planning: Techniques and methods, is to provide practical guidance about the methodological and technical aspects related to the formulation of education sector strategic plans. With concrete examples from existing sector plans, and numerous references and links to further reading, it highlights the different phases of the planning process. The Paper also introduces the reader to one of the most widely used methods to design programmes and projects – the logical framework approach. It is presented here adapted to the specifics of education sector planning.