One of the elements of management of regional economy is the planning (forecasting) and control. The economy is composed of different plans, terms, and purposes. All regions of the country implement strategic development plans up to 2030, which are specified by more detailed medium-term plans for the next three to five years. Monitoring of the achievement of target indicators and identification of factors affecting the development of the economy are carried out in the process of implementing development programs. It is not enough just to make plans for the dynamic development of the economy, but it is necessary to analyze the actual results, compare them with the forecast values and take timely measures to eliminate the constraints and to increase the growth factors. The work carries out a study of the implementation of the forecasted development of the economy of the Republic of Mari El for 2016. The possibility of achieving the criteria laid down for 2017–2018 is considered, the factors that have the strongest impact on this process are identified. The following summarizing indicators are considered as development indicators: gross regional product, index of industrial production and agricultural production, development of construction and trade turnover, as well as consumer price index, average income per capita, investment in fixed capital. Factor analysis of the development of the main sectors of the economy of the republic was carried out for an objective assessment of the achievement of forecast values. The article also deals with the competitiveness of the republic's economy. The study of the problem is based on the operational and statistical information provided by the Federal statistics service in the Republic of Mari El, the Ministry of economic development and trade of the Mari El Republic and previously published articles of the author. This article uses economic and statistical methods.