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The first 5 year plan started in 1928 and ended in 1932, strangely enough only 4 years. This was the first time the newly appointed Gosplan, (state planning authority) had been given charge over industry. This 5 year plan was focused on heavy industry such as: coal, oil iron ore and pig iron. At first the targets which Gosplan had made were easily reached and these items were produced over the target amount. The new revised targets which were set in 1932 were not met however some industries had now increased by over double what it used to be before the 5 year plans.

The second 5 year plans started in 1933 and ended in 1937, again only 4 years long. At first the plan decided to focus on manufacturing consumer goods, but as the government and Stalin began to fear an invasion from Germany it again switched back to heavy industry and armament production increased dramatically. During this period living standards did not increase and strikes were banned.

By this time heavy industry was well up and industry had been all but saved from the brink of collapse

The 3rd 5 year plan began in 1938 to 1941 but it was abandoned when Russia was invaded by Germany in 1941.

During the 3 years that it was in effect it had focused on radios and bicycles and other consumer goods. But secretly it had been pouring huge amounts of workers into munitions factories behind the mountains.