Линнас Таллиннский технический университет Поступила в редакцию 12.03.2008 Аннотация: В данной статье рассматриваются теоретические и практические аспекты планирования инновационной политики на примере Эстонии. <...> Abctract: This case study article treats theoretical and practical aspects of planning of innovation policy based on the case of Estonia. <...> The aim of this particular article is to give an overview of substantial theoretical and practical factors of success or failure of innovation policy implementation process, particularly focusing on peculiarities of planning of innovation policy in Estonia. <...> Estonia’s case is respectable and intriguing case for research, because the Republic of Estonia has been able to achieve fast and outstanding economic success during the relatively short period of re-independence, does have Skype, the genome project, egovernment, m-services etc, but ‘shine of success’ is going to disappear. <...> Estonia’s capacity of international competition is still suffering because of the small size of the economy, technological backwardness, weak international market position, management mistakes, and weak capital structure. <...> Author is in general opinion that it is very diffi cult to fi nd arguments to claim that Estonia will be successful in implementing innovation policy, as the planning process was not very much similar to the generally accepted model of policy planning process. <...> A common feature characterising innovation policy in Estonia is the great number and complex structure of various strategic and policy documents, action plans, programmes and projects. <...> It is very diffi cult to derive or see any interlocking of mentality and clear correlation between these documents and to understand, which document is considered paramount by policy makers. <...> The messages of policy makers are different and in contradictory inputoutput meaning in different parts of various documents. <...> Based on the above-stated, it is only possible to claim that there was and still is no common understanding of the vision and goals of innovation policy among the makers, executers, other signifi cant participants and stakeholders of the policy. <...> The above-said refers to confusion in the organisation of innovation policy planning and to inadequate quality of planning. <...> In this article, the author analyses the pros and contras of the innovation policy planning in Estonia and offers few ideas to enhance the preconditions <...>