building a professional learning plan - career development through skills development

Building a Professional Learning Plan

CAREER DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT IN 4 SIMPLE STEPS!

STEP 01Document the skills you need in the short-to-mid-term to excel at your current role and in the mid-to-long-term to drive your career growth.

(PRO TIP: try to force rank down to <10 skills)

You’ll have a list like the following:

Skills I needNeeded for my Job?

Needed for my career growth?

Advanced Java Y

Design Thinking Y Y

Leadership Y YBusiness Writing Y Y

Project Management Y

Managing Virtual Teams Y

STEP 02Determine your current competency level in each skill, and then have a coach rate you independently.

(PRO TIP: have a chat with your coach to discuss any perception differences)

You’ll have a list like the following:

Skills I needNeeded for my Job?


Current competency (self rating)

Current competency (coach rated)

Advanced Java Y 6 6Design Thinking Y Y 4 5Leadership Y Y 5 4Business Writing Y Y 5 5

Project Management Y 5 3

Managing Virtual Teams Y 3 3

STEP 03Determine what skill mastery looks like (quantifiably if possible)

You’ll have a list like the following:Skills I need

Needed for my Job?




What does mastery look like?

Advanced Java Y 6 6

I have become a go-to technical mentor for other developers

Design Thinking Y Y 4 5

I’m receiving feedback from clients that my designs are amazing

Leadership Y Y 5 4 I’m recognized as a leader up, down, & across

Business Writing Y Y 5 5 My writing is easy to read

and influential at all levels


My projects are on time, budget, and raising the quality bar

Managing Virtual Teams Y 3 3 I am seen as a great

manager globally

STEP 04Define a training plan to close the gaps

(PRO TIP: Try to make the plan SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant &Time-bound)

You’ll have a list like the following:Skills I need

Needed for my Job?




What does mastery look like?

Learning Plan

Advanced Java Y 6 6

I have become a go-to technical mentor for other developers

Obtain certification by May

Design Thinking Y Y 4 5

I’m receiving feedback from clients that my designs are amazing

Complete IDEO online course and shadow Design Thinking mentor on 3 projects this year

Leadership Y Y 5 4

I’m recognized as a leader up, down, & across

• Take Instructor Led Training Course on Leadership Fundamentals before June.

• Get appointed to a leadership role on a virtual team this year

Business Writing Y Y 5 5

My writing is easy to read and influential at all levels

Take Instructor Led Training Course on Writing Fundamentals before June


My projects are on time, budget, and raising the quality bar

Choose a Project Coach and complete monthly coaching sessions on active projects

Managing Virtual Teams Y 3 3 I am seen as a great

manager globallyTake online course by September

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