Personal Development Plans


Technique Overview

Personal Development Plans

Personal Development Plans Definition

A Personal Development Plan (PDP) is a structured, reflective tool to assess skills, identify learning needs, and set goals; often with input from a tutor, supervisor, or appraiser. It promotes self-directed learning and aligns personal development with organisational aims. PDPs have also been called personal education planning (Evans et al., 2002), personal learning planning, and personal action planning (Challis, 2000). Research supports their role in improving outcomes (Beausaert et al., 2013) and developing leadership in complex settings (Coopersmith, 2022).

Personal Development Plans Description *

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Business Evidence

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Business Application

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Further Reading

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Personal Development Plans references (4 of up to 20) *

  • Beausaert, S., Segers, M., Fouarge, D. and Gijselaers, W. (2013) ‘Effect of using a personal development plan on learning and development’, European Journal of Training and Development, 37(6), pp. 527–543.
  • Challis, M. (2000) ‘AMEE Medical Education Guide No. 19: Personal learning plans’, Medical Teacher, 22(3), pp. 225–236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01421590050006160
  • Coopersmith, K. (2021) ‘Personal development planning and vertical leadership development in a VUCA world’, Journal of Values-Based Leadership, 15(1), Article 10. doi: 10.22543/0733.151.1380
  • Evans, K., Hodkinson, P., Rainbird, H. and Unwin, L. (2002) Working to Learn: Transforming Learning in the Workplace. London: Routledge.

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