What is a professional development plan ?

Summary

An individual's professional development plan should be viewed as a living document that serves as a tool for self-evaluation, the formulation of career objectives, the creation of workable approaches to those objectives, and the identification of useful resources. In this article, you'll find templates for setting and achieving professional development objectives, as well as resources for monitoring your progress.

These are new times. In contrast to the easy career paths of our forebears, today's knowledge workers have access to a wide range of industries, job opportunities, and means of demonstrating value.

The sheer number of options is both fascinating and daunting. A PDP, or professional development plan, is the instrument you need to streamline your career objectives.

A professional development plan is a written document that details your current abilities, future aspirations, and expected methods of progress toward those aspirations.

We'll go over the six steps of a PDP, some sample objectives and plans, and several strategies for monitoring your professional growth.

How to create a professional development plan in 6 steps

Creating a strategy for professional growth is an ongoing process. Instead, it's a living document that is revised as your circumstances and objectives shift. 

The infographic down below depicts the phases of a professional development program.

Step 1: Assess yourself

You should give careful consideration to the self-assessment section anytime you revise your PDP in the future. Step one entails taking stock of where you are in terms of your education, experience, and professional aspirations and passions. 

In order to move ahead in your job, you must first assess your existing level of expertise and knowledge on the necessary subjects.

It's not always simple to be honest with oneself. You can get a head start on this procedure by taking a test of some kind. Some of the most well-liked are as follows.

You can learn a lot about yourself and your professional goals from taking these tests.

Step 2: Set your goals

After taking stock of where you are and what you're capable of, it's time to establish some objectives. The best way to achieve your overarching objectives is to divide them into more manageable chunks of time. 

Achieving a long-term objective may take several months or even several years.

The time frame for mid-term objectives should be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

Aim for a time frame of a few days to a few weeks when setting short-term objectives.

In general, you should focus on achieving one overarching objective, and then chunk down intermediate and immediate targets accordingly. Depending on how far into the future you're planning and how many stages there are to complete before you reach your destination, you may need to create a number of short- and mid-term goals.

Only if the paths to each long-term objective are distinct is it worthwhile to set more than one. You could, for instance, plan to improve your professional prospects, your physical health, and your financial stability over the course of several years. Despite the fact that your development in each area may have an impact on the others, your mid- and short-term objectives should be treated separately. 

If you decide to pursue more than one long-term objective, you should think about the toll it will take on your body, mind, and spirit if you try to achieve too much at once.

Use the SMART goal technique to guarantee that your long-term, intermediate-term, and short-term objectives are specified, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. Some examples will be discussed afterward.

Step 3: Develop strategies

You need a plan of action in order to achieve success. To make one, consider what you can do to improve your skill set, broaden your knowledge, and move closer to that promotion you've been eyeing. 

Write down the steps you need to take to improve your existing skill set or position and achieve your goals. Make a list of the things you need to do to go where you want to go, whether it's attending a conference to learn more, connecting with a mentor who can introduce you to influential people in the company, or attending a workshop to sharpen your abilities. 

Step 4: Gather your resources

Once you have a strategy in place, it's time to consider how you'll advance in your chosen field. For your career advancement, consider the following examples of resources:

Profession-improving training like a seminar, webinar, or workshop

Tools for personal growth and intellectual improvement

Groups of professionals who can serve as references in your field

Colleges and universities that offer the kind of continuing education that will help you get that promotion you deserve.

Sites like LinkedIn allow you to maintain connections with your remote team even when you're not working.

Create a master list of all the potential tools at your disposal, and then evaluate each one to determine which ones will be most useful in achieving your objectives.

Step 5: Create a timeline

Setting a specific date by which you want to have completed certain tasks will help you stay on track with your goals. It's the "T" in the acronym SMART (for "time-bound") objectives. 

Weekly, monthly, or quarterly planning may be appropriate, depending on the scope and complexity of your objectives. Strive for a middle ground between giving yourself plenty of time to complete tasks and not pushing yourself too much.

Your timeline will keep you on track with your short- and long-term objectives so you don't miss out on a job opportunity because of a deadline (for example, a new position you want that needs to be filled by the beginning of the next year).

Step 6: Track your progress

You should be able to easily monitor your development and evaluate where you stand with the help of your timeline and SMART goals. Because your PDP isn't a linear plan, but rather a lifecycle, we're back where we started. 

Always remember to maintain your PDP by making necessary changes as you move along. That's the only way it'll help you develop professionally and personally over time. You should also enter your objectives into a goal-setting program that will allow you to monitor your development and share your experiences with others.

.Professional development goal examples

Although we have a whole page dedicated to the topic of professional objectives and how they can help you advance in your career, here is a quick rundown of the most crucial points.

Your professional development goals should be specific and measurable so that you can track your progress toward them. They encompass both the immediate and distant future. The motivation you gain from setting and working toward these objectives should help you avoid stagnation in your professional life.

Objective: Start a new job

• Long-term: Get a good offer and quit your current job.

• Mid-term: Apply for at least five positions that you’re really interested in.

• Short-term: Find five job opportunities by the end of the week.

Objective: Get more involved in company activities

• Long-term: Participate in and help organize at least one event by the end of the year.

• Mid-term: Join a group or committee that sparks your interest.

• Short-term: Find three opportunities that you’re interested in (e.g., a networking group, a charity committee, etc.) and contact them about getting involved by the end of the month.

By slicing your overarching goal into smaller, more attainable objectives, you may work toward your end goal more methodically. It will also provide you with opportunities to recognize and appreciate your progress at each stage.

Professional development plan examples

The roadmap to professional growth that each individual follows will be unique. Here are a few brief examples of the types of things you may include in your professional development plan to give you an idea of what it can entail:

Self assessment

• Joined the company only six weeks ago

• I feel welcomed by my team but I’m holding back on social interactions because I am intimidated by their closeness

  Goals

• Create a network of at least three people that I connect with outside of work by the end of the year.

• Strategies

  • Speak up and get involved in meetings

  • Attend conferences, workshops, and after-work activities

  • Find a mentor

  • Connect with colleagues on LinkedIn

  • 

  • Professional development plan vs. leadership development plan

  • A leadership development plan and a professional development plan are not that different from each other from a technical standpoint. Both call for taking stock, establishing attainable objectives, and monitoring development.
    
  • But if you want to become a better leader or move up the ranks at your company, a leadership development plan will help you zero in on the specific abilities you'll need to achieve your goals. 

The first two phases are the same as always: take stock of your professional situation and decide what you want to achieve. The third phase is to enhance your leadership abilities through formal training. At this stage, you'll also begin to network with other leaders who can serve as role models and even later as professional contemporaries.

Building and using your network is the fourth stage of leadership development. You need to network with people who share your values and actively seek out input if you want to grow into a respected and effective leader.

Finally, you should acquire or hone "soft skills," which include things like interpersonal communication, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving abilities. All of them make the difference between a good leader and a great one, and they are all essential to leadership success.

Help your team set trackable professional goals

It is crucial that any objectives you establish, whether for your own Personal Development Plan or to assist a colleague, are quantifiable and specific. You'll be able to mark off accomplishments and increase motivation with this method.

By using Asana's goal tracking features, you can coordinate your efforts with those of your group or company, and never lose track of your progress.