Start with a fresh document or a blank piece of paper. Label it Personal Development Plan, or Individual Development Plan if you like.
Put your name on it. There's something magical about claiming a plan as your own. This hasn't changed since your were six, has it?
Create a table like the one shown below, with as many columns as you have goals, and eight rows. You'll want to make the boxes large enough to write a paragraph or two in, of course.
Write your goals in the top boxes.
In the first column of each row, write in the following:
Benefits - This is the "So What?" of your goal.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to be Developed - Exactly what is it you want to develop?
Developmental Activities - What are you going to do to make your goal a reality?
Resources/Support Needed - What will you need by way of resources? If yours are complicated, you might add another row to detail how or where you'll get these resources.
Potential Obstacles - What could get in your way? How will you take care of it?
Date of Completion - Every goal needs a deadline or it could get put off indefinitely. Choose a completion date.
Measurement of Success - How will you know you've succeeded?
I like to add a last line for my own signature. It seals the deal. If you're creating this plan as an employee and plan to discuss it with your employer, add a line for your supervisor's signature. Doing so will make it more likely you'll get the support you need from work.
Good luck!
Personal Development Plan
| Development Goals | Goal 1 | Goal 2 | Goal 3 |
| Benefits | |||
| Knowledge, Skills, Abilities to be Developed | |||
| Developmental Activities | |||
| Resources/Support Needed | |||
| Potential Obstacles | |||
| Date for Completion | |||
| Measurement of Success |
