Challenges of Formulation of Development Policies in Iran (Five-year Development Programs)

The policy formulation stage is one of the important stages of the policy-making process that has significant effects on other stages. In development studies, the state is recoganized as an influential player in development policy procces. This research aims to identify and categorize the challenges of the formulation stage of development policies in Iran by viewing the from of five-year development programs. Research data were collected by a documentary method,  and by using purposeful sampling and thematic analysis. The challenges of development policies formulation in Iran have been categorized in five themes: 1) the nature of development policies 2) factors affecting development policies 3) the players of policy formulation stage 4) solutions presented in develpoment policeis 5) determination of the objectives in development policies. Explaining the challenges of development policies formulation in Iran can help policymakers and development policy analysts to overcome them in future policies.