How to Plan your CPD

You may already plan your CPD as part of your appraisal and development process at work. It is worth remembering that it is your development and future career path that is being considered and it is therefore important that you take ownership of your CPD plan.

If you are new to planning your CPD, there are a number of key steps involved: 

Review your current position
Where are you in relation to your current objectives? You need to undertake a personal audit of the skills and knowledge you have developed in your current and previous roles and your achievements. Also consider your values, interests and your future aspirations.

Setting your goals
Initially you may wish to concentrate on identifying short term goals to enhance your performance in your current job. It is likely that your line manager will be able to help you identify your short- term needs. Thereafter, it is important to set longer term objectives which lead to your ideal job providing the perfect fit between your hopes and aspirations and your personal circumstances. You need to be realistic in setting objectives which are attainable.

Prepare your CPD plan
Now that you have set your goals, the next stage is to develop your plan of action to achieve these objectives. There are distinct similarities between a Personal Development Plan and a Continuing Professional Development Plan although they are often recorded in different formats. The main aim is the same which is a method of recording your ongoing development activities.

Members will be encouraged to incorporate a brief statement of each objective, covering what they expect to learn or develop as a result of a development activity, in their CPD plan. This may include both personal and business benefits.

You may find it useful to refer to the five broad areas of CPD qualifying activity for guidance on the most appropriate activities to meet your objectives.

Reflect/ Review progress
Once you have implemented your CPD plan, you will need to review your development activities to establish whether or not they have helped you achieve your objectives. This process should be ongoing and provide feedback to enable you to amend or refine your plan.