Tips For Creating Your IDP

culled from:http://mycareeratva.va.gov


An Individual Development Plan (IDP) can help you stay on course toward achieving your career development goals. But where and how do you begin? With these tips, you will learn to identify and describe your goals, choose activities that will help you meet them, set key milestones, and create a timeline for the completion of your goals.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Brainstorming and Preparation

To start the IDP process, first spend some time thinking about your career. As you do, ask yourself these questions:

• How am I doing in my current job? In what areas do I excel? In what areas do I fall short, and what can I do to improve? Do I have all of the skills necessary to succeed?
• What are my short-term career goals and developmental needs?
• What developmental activities in my current job could help me develop the skills and knowledge I need for my target job?
• Are there projects or experiences at work that could be helpful in my development?
• Are there formal learning opportunities (e.g., conferences, virtual trainings, classes) that I would like to participate in?

As you consider these questions, write down your thoughts and note the areas with which you might need help. Be open and honest about your developmental needs. Finally, write down any career goals that emerge as a part of this brainstorm.

IDPs: Getting Started

Once you finish brainstorming, you should have some initial ideas for goals and relevant developmental opportunities. Now, begin to organize these ideas. Depending on where you work at VA, you may have access to an IDP form. Your supervisor or HR specialist should be able to provide you with a form or another option if your organization does not participate in a formalized IDP process.
Generally, your IDP should include the following:

• A clear statement of short-term career goals (within 1-2 years)
• A clear statement of long-term career goals (within 3-5 years)
• A specific action plan for the next year designed to help you move closer to achieving these goals

Creating Strong Goals

Don’t be afraid to set tough, but realistic, goals for yourself. Good career goals will help you to identify and focus your developmental efforts, bringing you closer to where you want to be in your career. By capturing both long-term (3-5 years) and short-term (1-2 years) goals, you can make sure your current efforts are supporting your future ambitions. Try to capture at least one long-term career goal and three to six short-term career goals in your IDP.
As you develop your IDP, make sure all of your goals:

• Are SMART—Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound
• Complement VA’s mission, vision, and goals
• Include any competencies you wish to develop
• Contain the strategies you will use to accomplish your goals
• Include the resources you will need

Explain how you will measure your progress
Include a deadline for achieving your goals
Finally, for each goal you set, identify one to three developmental activities that will help you achieve that goal. Continue reading for specific ideas about developmental activities you can include in your plan.