It was established by decree on 6 March 2006, succeeding the General Planning Commission, and was replaced in 2013 by the Commissariat général à la stratégie et à la prospective, branded France Stratégie.
Its mission was to advise the Government in the creation and application of economic, social, environmental and cultural policy.
It drew upon an 11-member Steering Committee that included two Deputies, two Senators and a member of the Economic and Social Council.
All of the Centre's work was made public on its official site and in printed editions by La Documentation française.
Each year, the Centre also organized around a dozen public events, including seminars, colloquiums and one-day conferences.