Professional development plan (PDP): 6 steps + examples
Summary
Unlike previous generations who followed straightforward career paths, today's professionals face an abundance of industries, roles, and opportunities. This can be exciting, but also overwhelming.
A professional development plan (PDP) helps you cut through the noise and focus on what matters most for your career. In this article, we'll cover what a PDP is, why it matters, six steps to create one, and examples to help you get started.
What is a professional development plan?
A professional development plan (PDP) is a document that outlines your current skills, your career goals, and the specific steps you need to take to achieve them. It's a living tool that evolves as your career progresses, helping you identify skill gaps, set meaningful goals, and track your progress over time.
A comprehensive professional development plan typically includes five key components:
Self-assessment: An honest evaluation of your current skills, strengths, and areas for improvement
Goals: Clear, measurable objectives you want to achieve in your career
Strategies: The specific actions and activities you'll pursue to reach your goals
Resources: The tools, training, mentorship, and support you'll need along the way
Timeline: Realistic deadlines and milestones to keep you accountable
Benefits of a professional development plan
Creating a professional development plan takes time, but the payoff is worth it for both individuals and organizations.
For employees | For organizations |
Cut to the core of career direction and goals | Improved employee engagement and retention |
Increased motivation through written accountability | Stronger talent pipeline for future roles |
Plan skill development for advancement | Better alignment between individual and company goals |
Greater confidence in career trajectory | A culture of continuous improvement |
When people see a clear path forward, they're more likely to stay motivated and committed to their work.
How to create a professional development plan in 6 steps
Your professional development plan isn't a one-time project; it's a living document that evolves as your goals and priorities change. The visual below illustrates the lifecycle of your PDP.
Create a professional development plan templateLet's dive into the six steps you need to take to create your own professional development plan.
Step 1: Assess yourself
Self assessment is the foundation of your PDP and a critical step you should take seriously whenever you update your plan. In this step, you'll evaluate your personal and professional interests, career aspirations, and current knowledge and skill set.
Read: 6 steps to create a performance evaluation template (with examples)You first need to identify where you stand with your current skills so you can figure out what you need to improve or change to progress in your career.
Assessing yourself isn't always easy. To jump-start this process, try using an assessment tool or personality test:
These tests can help you better understand who you are and what you want from your life and career.
Step 2: Set your goals
Now that you've evaluated your current position and skills, it's time to set your goals. To break up your main goals, you'll want to set long-term, mid-term, and short-term goals.
Long-term goals can be months or even years into the future.
Mid-term goals should range from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.
Short-term goals should range from a couple of days to a couple of weeks.
Aim to set one long-term goal and break it into manageable mid- and short-term milestones. If you set multiple long-term goals, ensure they're on different tracks (e.g., career, health, finances) and be mindful of the mental and emotional strain to avoid burnout.
Whether you're setting long-, mid-, or short-term goals, use the SMART goal technique to ensure they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timebound.
Read: How to set Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs) to do the impossibleStep 3: Develop strategies
To reach your goals, you need an action plan. Look at your current skill set and goals, then write down what you need to do to bridge the gap. Common strategies include:
Attend conferences or workshops: Broaden your knowledge and stay current in your field
Find a mentor: Build meaningful connections and get guidance from experienced professionals
Take courses or certifications: Develop specific technical or leadership skills
Seek stretch assignments: Volunteer for projects that push you outside your comfort zone
Step 4: Gather your resources
Once you've developed an action plan, think through the professional growth resources you need to succeed:
Seminars, webinars, or workshops that elevate your skill set
Learning and development resources that can advance your knowledge
Professional networks that connect you with new peers or mentors
Continuing education institutions that provide you with the degree you need for your promotion
Social media platforms, like LinkedIn, where you can connect with your virtual team outside of work
List all the resources you can think of and then narrow them down to the ones that align best with your strategies and goals.
Step 5: Create a timeline
Creating a timeline and deadlines for your goals can be extremely helpful in sticking to them. It's also the "T" of any SMART goal (time-bound).
Depending on the type of goals you set, you may want to think in weekly, monthly, or quarterly increments. Try to find a balance between giving yourself enough time to achieve your goals while still challenging yourself.
If your main goal is tied to a specific date (for example, a new position that needs to be filled by next year), your timeline will hold you accountable to your short- and mid-term goals.
Step 6: Track your progress
With your timeline and SMART goals defined, tracking progress becomes straightforward. Remember, your PDP isn't a linear plan; it's a lifecycle. Keep it alive by updating and adjusting as you go.
Effective ways to track your progress include:
Goal-setting software: Track milestones and connect with collaborators
Regular check-ins: Schedule monthly or quarterly reviews of your plan
Manager conversations: Discuss progress during one-on-ones
Professional development goal examples
We already have an entire article on advancing your career with professional goals, but let's summarize some of the most important information on professional development goals.
Professional development goals are concrete objectives that you want to achieve during your career. They're a combination of short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals that keep you motivated and moving forward.
Here are a few examples of what these goals can look like:
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.
Breaking your main objective up into manageable chunks will take some of the pressure off and allow you to approach your goal step by step. Plus, it'll give you reasons to celebrate your smaller achievements along the way.
Professional development plan examples
Everyone's professional development plan will look different. Here are a few brief examples of what you can write in your professional development plan:
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
Resources
Company networks and after-work activities
Mentor 1:1 meetings
Timeline
By next week: Add colleagues on LinkedIn and participate in at least one after-work activity
By next month: Secure a mentor and schedule bi-weekly meetings
By next quarter: Attend a conference or workshop with a colleague
By the end of the year: Have three or more colleagues that I feel comfortable hanging out with after or outside of work
When tracking these goals, you may realize that they were easier or harder to reach than you thought. Simply adjust your goals or timeline and keep going.
In this case, you may realize that making these connections doesn't just help you feel more welcome and comfortable in the team, but that your team considers you a natural leader. That could lead to a whole new development plan you can create to ensure you keep growing.
Professional development plan vs. leadership development plan
A professional development plan doesn't differ too much from a leadership development plan. Both require you to assess your current situation, set realistic goals, and track your progress.
However, if your goals are focused on improving your leadership skills or advancing into a leadership role, creating a leadership development plan will help you focus on the exact skills you'll need.
The first two steps remain the same: assess where you stand professionally and set your goals. Step three is to engage in leadership training and hone your leadership skills. During this step, you'll also meet other leaders who can become your mentors.
Step four is to build and interact with your network. To become a respected and successful leader, you'll have to connect with like-minded people and seek out feedback.
The last step is to learn or improve soft skills like effective communication, your emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution. These are critical to succeed in a leadership role.
Help your team set trackable professional goals
Whether you're working on your own PDP or helping out a teammate, the most important thing is that whatever goals you set are measurable and precise. This will allow you to track your progress and celebrate milestones.
With Asana's goal-tracking software, you can align your personal goals with those of your team or organization and stay on top of your latest achievements. Get started today to bring cut to the core to your professional development journey.
Create a professional development plan template
