Development planning and monitoring

Sample Answer

Development Planning and Monitoring

Introduction

Personal and professional development planning is a structured process that helps individuals identify areas for improvement, set realistic goals, and track progress over time. A well-structured development plan not only guides personal growth but also aligns individual objectives with organisational goals. This report presents an individual development plan based on identified needs and outlines how progress will be monitored using recognised methods and supporting literature.

Individual Development Plan

Based on recent self-assessments and feedback, two key development needs were identified:

1. improving time management skills and

2. enhancing confidence in public speaking.

These areas are crucial for professional effectiveness and have a direct impact on productivity and communication.

Each goal follows the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound), as recommended by Doran (1981), ensuring that progress can be clearly evaluated.

Monitoring Progress

Monitoring is essential to determine if development activities are effective. It ensures accountability and allows for adjustments where necessary. Various tools and procedures will be used:

1. Appraisals
   Regular appraisals provide formal opportunities to review progress against goals. According to Armstrong (2017), appraisals help align individual development with organisational objectives and foster ongoing dialogue between employees and supervisors. A mid-term appraisal after three months will review progress on time management, while a year-end appraisal will evaluate speaking confidence.

2. Personal Development Meetings (PDMs)
   Monthly one-on-one development meetings with a mentor or line manager will be held to discuss challenges, successes, and support needs. These informal check-ins promote reflection and can identify new learning opportunities. PDMs encourage self-awareness and adaptability, as noted by Pedler et al. (2016).

3. Self-Monitoring and Reflective Journals
   Keeping a reflective journal will allow for continuous self-assessment. Reflection encourages deeper learning, as per Kolb’s (1984) experiential learning cycle, where learning is seen as a process of experiencing, reflecting, thinking, and acting. Journaling will help identify patterns, such as time-wasting habits or recurring anxiety triggers during presentations.

4. Feedback from Peers
   Informal peer feedback after presentations or project meetings will provide insight into progress. 360-degree feedback methods, as discussed by Ward (2014), can offer multiple perspectives on improvement areas and build a well-rounded view of performance.