The authors point out that planning is a dynamic process in which real forces must be understood, and brought to a point of realization, before abstractly conceived plans can be made operative. This process is sometimes political, is in any case pragmatic. The ideal approach to planning, which merely balances need with resources, is likely to be rendered inoperative by opposing forces in life. The result has been slow progress for health planners, but progress may be accelerated by the pragmatic approach. Pragmatism, however, does not obviate the need for hard data. These are needed above all for evaluation.