This document outlines a template for a professional development plan with 5 sections: 1) Overview of previous quarter's goals and objectives, 2) Accomplishments and obstacles, 3) Strengths and opportunities, 4) Goals, targets, and action items for the upcoming quarter, and 5) A professional development plan. The template is designed to gather feedback on an employee's performance and develop goals to maintain motivation and effectively manage staff.

1. Professional Development Plan
Purpose
This template has been designed to assist you with gathering measurable feedback
regarding an employee’s past performance, attitude, and ability to do their job.
Developing Professional Development Plans is essential for maintaining motivation, assessing
department capabilities, and managing your staff effectively. Managers who do not deal with
performance issues reduce employee morale, decrease credibility of management, diminish
organizational effectiveness, and contribute to increased costs for resources.
Scope of Review
Use a standardized planning form with which both you and your employees can become
familiar. When filling the performance dimensions to be assessed, include responsibilities
from the job description, any assigned goals from the strategic plan, as well as needed skills
and behaviors for the defined job/role.
Following are the major sections that comprise a Professional Development Plan.
Section 1 – Overview of Previous Quarter
Section 2 – Accomplishments and Obstacles
Section 3 – Strengths and Opportunities
Section 4 – Goals, Targets and Action Items
Section 5 – Professional Development Plan

2. Employee Name:
Manager Name:
Title:
Review Date:
For Period:
Section 1 – Overview of Previous Quarter
Goals, Targets, and Action Items
Objective #1 -
Objective #2 -
Objective #3 -
Objective #4 -
Programs and Initiatives KPIs and Action Items Target Timeframes
Program #1 -
Program #2 -
Initiative #1 -

3. Section 2 – Accomplishments and Obstacles
Document accomplishments and discuss the impact these had on the organization.
Key Accomplishments for This Review Period
Accomplishment 1:
Accomplishment 2:
Accomplishment 3:
Document any obstacles that stood in the way of your objectives.
Discuss any added responsibilities that had an impact on established objectives and
expected results. Also, indicate how did these results and contributions supported
organizational goals?
Obstacles for This Review Period
Obstacle 1:
Obstacle 2:
Obstacle 3:

4. Section 3 – Strengths & Opportunities
Summarize the top three strengths and opportunities that need to be focused on. Be sure to
consider the following questions:
1. Which strengths were instrumental in helping to achieve goals and results?
2. Which strengths are most important for achieving results next year?
3. Are there ways the employee can build on these key strengths?
4. Which improvements are critical to the employee’s ability to meet objectives?
5. What improvements have the employee’s manager, co-workers, or customers
identified during the year?
Strengths:
1. Strength 1
2. Strength 2
3. Strength 3
Opportunities:
1. Opportunity 1
2. Opportunity 2
3. Opportunity 3
Section 4 – Goals, Targets and Action Items for Upcoming Quarter
Goals, Targets, and Action Items
Objective #1 -

5. Objective #2 -
Objective #3 -
Objective #4 -
Programs and Initiatives KPIs and Action Items Target Timeframes
Program #1 -
Program #2 -
Initiative #1 -
Initiative #2 -
Section 5 – Professional Development Plan
This section should be completed once the employee and manager have agreed upon
desired areas for improvement. Be sure your professional development plan is linked to the

6. upcoming department goals & objectives. Your development plan should include specific
development objectives, related activities to support knowledge & skill growth, and measures
& timeframes for completion.
Employee Development Plan:
Developmental Objective 1:
Developmental Objective 2:
Developmental Objective 3:
Thank you for completing this Professional Development Plan. By assessing past
performance and evaluating future organizational development needs, we are demonstrating
our commitment to professional growth and success.
By signing, you agree to focus on your strengths and opportunities to develop further.
Additionally, we agree to include your suggestions for process improvement.
Employee Name: Manager Name:
Employee Signature: Manager Signature:
Review Date: Review Date: