Professional Development Plan FAQ
What is a Professional Development Plan (PDP)?
A Professional Development Plan (or PDP) is a written document used to focus, evaluate and prioritize professional development goals and activities.
Why create a Professional Development Plan (PDP)?
The process of writing a PDP forces you to define what you really want from your career and how you’re going to get it in real terms. The act of writing it down on paper (or typing it) allows you to gain greater clarity. As you go through the process, you will gain a greater understanding of yourself, including your professional strengths and areas for improvement.
What are the benefits of building a Professional Development Plan (PDP)?
With the help of a comprehensive PDP, you can achieve more in your career, including: Promotions, raises, new professional opportunities, increased work satisfaction and fulfillment, and smooth career transitions.
What’s included in a Professional Development Plan (PDP)?
Depending on your individual needs, your PDP may include a variety of different elements. However, most PDPs include short and long-term career goals, a list of the professional development areas of focus, and a list of development activities broken down by quarter.
How do I create a Professional Development Plan (PDP)?
I recommend a simple 10-step process, which I created based on years of work as a career coach. This process will help you create your own comprehensive, well-organized PDP documents.