GUIDE to the COMPLETION of A PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
What is a Personal Development Plan?
The aim of creating a personal development plan is
plan is to document a process of self-analysis,
personal reflection
reflection and honest appraisal
appraisal of your strengths and weaknesses.
weaknesses. This should
enable you to evaluate the value of the leadership and management training you have
received, and to consider your future leadership development.
What do I need to do?
An example ofof a PDP included later
later in this GUIDE, and should be read
read in conjunction
conjunction with
the requirements outlined below. This task is relatively short, succinct and designed to be
helpful in evaluating your leadership development. It enables you to reflect upon your recent
experience and to focus on the next stage of your training and development. Creating your
PDP has three stages as follows:
a. Stage 1 – Personal Analysis. The first stage is designed
designed to analyse
analyse your
strengths and weaknesses. You will be able to draw heavily upon your career and the
outcomes of courses that you may have attended. These should be supplemented by
the perceived opportunities that will have been derived from your experience and any
threats to your continued success.
b. Stage 2 – Setting Goals. This involves setting new and clearly definable goals
for yourself which are measurable. The example PDP provides clear guidance on
identifying these.
these. You will need to consult
consult your immediate superior
superior (your first reporting
officer/line manager)
c. Stage 3 – Personal Objectives. This stage involves
involves setting out your
your personal
objectives. These can also be set in context within your civilian employment as shown
in the example, which will be helpful in reinforcing its value.
Example of a Personal Development Plan
Mr A is a 25 year old graduate working for a well-known mobile telecommunications
telecommunications
company. He is 2 years into their graduate recruitment programme. He joined the
organisation while
while at university and transferred to his current department following
graduation. After a year he was encouraged
encourage d to enter a managerial leadership and
management development programme. He re-joined his department as a junior
manager.
His employer is supportive and has been reasonably flexible and supportive in making
allowances
allowances for the additional time off work to complete all the training modules.
Once properly qualified and with more experience, he is keen to take on more
responsibility and be seconded to another part of the company.
The example PDP is set out over the following page
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PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (EXAMPLE)
Name: Mr A Department: Organisation:
Date Personal Development Plan Completed:
Part 1 – Personal Analysis
Before setting your short medium and long term personal development plans, you should conduct a personal analysis: Eg - What are my strengths
and weaknesses? What external opportunities or threats might affect any plans I might make?
Strengths Areas for further development
My personal administration in the company and basic It was difficult to maintain the work/life balance and
skills are good and my detailed knowledge is generally maintain my physical fitness standards during
sound for my level of training. academic studies. As a result I have lost some
physical fitness.
I gained confidence from proving that I could cope with
the pressures of the L and M course, even with sleep I need to take more time in planning a task
depravation. I was assessed to be composed during thoroughly before briefing my subordinates. Ie
practical work and provided clear direction. provide the solution not present the problem. My
understanding of the estimate planning process is
Having the opportunity to lead a team over an extended still superficial in places and requires more detail.
period of time, I demonstrated that I have the ability to
provide clear direction and manage people to achieve In order to build my confidence in command I need
specific tasks whilst under pressure. more experience of team management in different
scenarios
Opportunities Threats
Demonstrate to my employer that I have h ad both Balance work and personal commitments.
structured management and leadership training and
2
experience of leading teams to achieve specific tasks.
Also to highlight that I have been exposed to a more
structured approach to analysing problems which will
assist me in providing clear solutions will be of value to
the quality of my work for the company I work for.
This activity provides a space for renewal in a hectic
business environment to achieve a better work life
balance allowing me to be refreshed and more focused
at work.
I can call on the support of my line manager to give me
guidance on personal development.
The company formal annual appraisal process will
provide a source of guaranteed feedback.
3
experience of leading teams to achieve specific tasks.
Also to highlight that I have been exposed to a more
structured approach to analysing problems which will
assist me in providing clear solutions will be of value to
the quality of my work for the company I work for.
This activity provides a space for renewal in a hectic
business environment to achieve a better work life
balance allowing me to be refreshed and more focused
at work.
I can call on the support of my line manager to give me
guidance on personal development.
The company formal annual appraisal process will
provide a source of guaranteed feedback.
Part 2 – Setting Goals
What do I want to What do I have to do? What support and How will I measure success? Target date
learn? resources will I need? for review?
Greater depth of Complete M and L Course (4 1. Regional 1. Courses Assessment. Post 31
knowledge of weekends) Training and the Training Centre 2. YM Course Assessment Mar
leading in the company Young Managers and YM Course report. report
business external (YM) development programme Directing Staff. 3. Line managers
activities 2. Finding 2 Appraisal Report (LMAP)
weeks for the YM including mid-year
could be difficult.appraisal will assess
performance and
potential.
Get to know my department Advice from my 1. Formal and informal Post 31
team and build their Line Manager and appraisal. Mar
confidence and trust in me. team feedback 2. Self-appraisal. report
Identify key training I will need to 1. Prioritisation of goals Post 31
opportunities in the Business discuss and agree forms part of my appraisal Mar
Forecast of Events and de- my priorities with process. report
conflict with work and social my Line Manager. 2. Ensure that I have
life. Because of YMs course I attended all the agreed
may not be able to engage in high priority training.
all business activities
Widen my Learn from the more by Senior colleagues. Mentoring and Post 31
understanding of observing experienced performance appraisal. Mar
leadership. managers. Gain their During development report
friendship and trust. programmes.
Improve my Allocate specific evenings Advice from Gym Improved fitness levels will Quarterly
personal fitness. during the week for fitness Fitness Instr be self-evident.
training and allocate time at Improved Personal Fitness Bi-
4
Part 2 – Setting Goals
What do I want to What do I have to do? What support and How will I measure success? Target date
learn? resources will I need? for review?
Greater depth of Complete M and L Course (4 1. Regional 1. Courses Assessment. Post 31
knowledge of weekends) Training and the Training Centre 2. YM Course Assessment Mar
leading in the company Young Managers and YM Course report. report
business external (YM) development programme Directing Staff. 3. Line managers
activities 2. Finding 2 Appraisal Report (LMAP)
weeks for the YM including mid-year
could be difficult.appraisal will assess
performance and
potential.
Get to know my department Advice from my 1. Formal and informal Post 31
team and build their Line Manager and appraisal. Mar
confidence and trust in me. team feedback 2. Self-appraisal. report
Identify key training I will need to 1. Prioritisation of goals Post 31
opportunities in the Business discuss and agree forms part of my appraisal Mar
Forecast of Events and de- my priorities with process. report
conflict with work and social my Line Manager. 2. Ensure that I have
life. Because of YMs course I attended all the agreed
may not be able to engage in high priority training.
all business activities
Widen my Learn from the more by Senior colleagues. Mentoring and Post 31
understanding of observing experienced performance appraisal. Mar
leadership. managers. Gain their During development report
friendship and trust. programmes.
Improve my Allocate specific evenings Advice from Gym Improved fitness levels will Quarterly
personal fitness. during the week for fitness Fitness Instr be self-evident.
training and allocate time at Improved Personal Fitness Bi-
weekends. Test score. annually
Develop personal fitness
programme to improve fitness Annual
and stamina.
Achieve core Complete mandatory Secure bonus benefits as 31 Mar
business skills. organisation update training appropriate annually
i.e. CPD
Build confidence Volunteer to lead ad-hoc cross Line manager Feedback from the team End of
in as a leader/ functional projects to build and the project sponsor. the
management. credibility and experience as a project
leader
Improve Gain further experience of Use training Good YMs course report.
planning/ business analysis processes. opportunities and
decision-making revision.
skills. Use this in a working
environment to speed up and
improve complex decision
making
5
weekends. Test score. annually
Develop personal fitness
programme to improve fitness Annual
and stamina.
Achieve core Complete mandatory Secure bonus benefits as 31 Mar
business skills. organisation update training appropriate annually
i.e. CPD
Build confidence Volunteer to lead ad-hoc cross Line manager Feedback from the team End of
in as a leader/ functional projects to build and the project sponsor. the
management. credibility and experience as a project
leader
Improve Gain further experience of Use training Good YMs course report.
planning/ business analysis processes. opportunities and
decision-making revision.
skills. Use this in a working
environment to speed up and
improve complex decision
making
Part 3 – Personal Objectives
Short Term Goals (next 12 months)
Complete Young Managers Course in order to become eligible for engagement in complex business project
activities.
(I accept that some of these goals may slip into year 2 but no further).
Have accountability for a significant cross-functional project at work.
Medium Term Goals (next 2 – 3 years)
Be given responsibility for leading and managing a small team of in support of a challenging business project.
Engage in supporting some functions of a cross-functional project team which gives me signif icant business
exposure.
Longer Term Goals (beyond 3 years)
Gain promotion to middle management and gain a support of work colleagues and senior managers.
Be given responsibility for managing a large team of direct reports/ a number of teams (Work towards
becoming a Head of Department).
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Part 3 – Personal Objectives
Short Term Goals (next 12 months)
Complete Young Managers Course in order to become eligible for engagement in complex business project
activities.
(I accept that some of these goals may slip into year 2 but no further).
Have accountability for a significant cross-functional project at work.
Medium Term Goals (next 2 – 3 years)
Be given responsibility for leading and managing a small team of in support of a challenging business project.
Engage in supporting some functions of a cross-functional project team which gives me signif icant business
exposure.
Longer Term Goals (beyond 3 years)
Gain promotion to middle management and gain a support of work colleagues and senior managers.
Be given responsibility for managing a large team of direct reports/ a number of teams (Work towards
becoming a Head of Department).
