The purpose of the article is to study the organizational and legal framework for the functioning of the institution of pre-trial investigation planning under simplified procedure. The subject of the study is the planning of a pre-trial investigation under simplified procedure. Methodology. General scientific and special scientific methods were used in the course of the research: formal and logical; description; historical and legal; comparative and legal; dogmatic. Results of the research. The concept, essence, as well as the basic scientific doctrines concerning functioning of institution of planning are investigated; the content of the legal support for pre-trial investigation under simplified procedure is clarified. Practical meaning. The content and essence of the relevant process in the context of pre-trial investigation under simplified procedure are outlined; the main elements of legal support for the functioning of this institution are allocated; the author’s view on the positive and negative features of pre-trial investigation planning as the management tool is provided. Value / originality. The further steps to optimize the functioning of the institution of planning for pre-trial investigation of criminal offenses are proposed.