Professional Development Planner (PDP) user guide

This document provides a simple guide on how to use the online Professional Development Planner (PDP).

The guide shows screenshots and points out key features for each of the main steps in the PDP process.

CIMA – Online PDP user guide 1

Define your role Once you have logged into the online PDP tool you will be able to manage define PDP roles. Use the ‘Create a new role’ option to start a new PDP role. Click on your role to start the PDP process. Remember, the process is mapped across the top of the screen to help you navigate the system. You can click on the steps of the process to return to a particular part of the system.

Click here to complete your online PDP profile

The PDP process is visible along the top of the screen

Use these options to delete or rename your PDP roles

Your PDP roles are listed here

Click here to log out of online PDP Click here to

create a new PDP role

CIMA – Online PDP user guide 2

Define the aspects of your role Information relating to the different aspects of your role is managed using this screen. You can select an aspect by clicking on the ‘Select an aspect’ option. Once you have done that, select the aspect from the list and it will appear in your PDP role.

This indicates the name of your PDP role

This is the navigation aid, telling you where you are in the PDP process (i.e. defining aspects of your role). You can also use the forward/back buttons in your Internet browser to navigate the PDP process.

These are a list of aspects chosen to address during the PDP process. Click here to move to the next step in the process

At any point in the PDP process you can click on the Help button to view a brief description of the current screen

You can use the Back button to return to the previous step in the process

Click here to select existing predefined aspects from a default list

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Define your key areas This screen breaks down the aspect of your role into key areas, which are comprised of competencies, tasks and responsibilities. These reflect the main sections of the generic role profile. Each key area can be investigated in more detail by clicking on the boxes. Once you have followed the PDP process through a key area, you can return to this screen and tackle another area.

This indicates the name of the aspect you are examining

The boxes are key areas of the role aspect. Each is given an appropriate title and relatesto an area of your role profile

You can return to this screen by clicking on the ‘Key areas’ button at the top of the screen

Click on each area in turn to continue the PDP process. Within each key area is a set of criteria that you will rate your performance against

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Define your competencies Competencies are the individual elements that make up the key area of the role. This is the defined criteria that you will be rating your performance/competence against.

This indicates the name of the key area you are examining

Click here to create new competencies. You can add your own elements to reflect extra duties, which you may do as part of your role If you create your own elements, you can then delete or rename them as necessary

These are a list of competency anchor points/tasks/ skills/outputs etc that make up the chosen key area

Click here to rate your performance / competence against the above elements

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Assessing yourself This screen allows you to assess your current performance/competence against the defined elements. Online PDP allows you to complete this diagnosis independently or work together with an assessor (such as a line manager) to produce a joint vision of current performance.

Use the slider bar to rate your current performance against each element listed

You can return to this screen to redo your ratings by clicking on the ‘Assess’ button.

Once you have rated your performance, click here to let the PDP tool calculate your strengths and development needs

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Your strengths and development needs Online PDP dynamically prioritises strengths and development needs. Strengths and development needs are calculated based on how you have rated your performance. Prioritisation allows you to quickly recognise the areas that need most immediate attention. Whilst it is important to recognise weaknesses, it is equally important to recognise and maintain individual strengths.

If necessary, click here to go back and do your assessment again

Online PDP will prioritise your strengths and weaknesses (based on how you rated your performance against the elements on the previous screen)

Click on the ideas button to start matching learning activities to help you improve your performance / competence

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Design your development – The ideas generator The ideas generator allows you to tackle development needs. It is an intelligent catalogue of learning and development activities (actions). Actions are generated in recognition of the development need being addressed. Actions could take the form of advice, workshops, e-learning, qualifications and other support information. Actions are linked to skills, knowledge, motivation and environment to help you recognise the nature of the solution you require.

This indicates which competency you are examining

Learning and development activities are attributed a number of different categories such as knowledge and skills. Click on the drop down menus to choose a question within the category (against each question is a set of learning and development activities which will be generated in the window opposite).

These are ideas generated from the categories opposite. Click on the individual idea text to add them to your action plan.

Click here to view your action plan

You can create your own ideas for action by clicking here. Any ideas you create will be added to your action plan. They can be deleted from the plan if appropriate.

Search for ideas within PDP or on the web by typing a query here, then clicking Go

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Action plan Your action plan is a summary record of all learning and development activities selected from the ideas generator. The action plan shows whether the actions have been completed or if they are still active. Plans are stored electronically but can also be printed. You have the opportunity to review and reflect on any actions undertaken.

Click here to reflect on the action. This allows you to measure the impact of the learning and development activity.

Click here to review the action

This tells you when the action was created, your target for completion, and the current status

Actions are summarised by key area and competency

Click here to view a printable version of the action plan

You can add custom actions by clicking here

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Review actions From this screen, you can review and reflect on activities undertaken. This is designed to support continuing professional development and lifelong learning. It is a consistent record kept against all learning and development activities within your PDP plan.

This is a

summary of the action

Click here to add new files, text and web links to your evidence portfolio. If adding files, you will be prompted to browse your files and add the necessary ones

To reflect on the learning undertaken, click here

To modify the action summary, click here

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Modify actions Actions can be modified and targets for completion set to give you more flexibility in managing your learning and development.

Change the text of the action chosen if necessary

Set the target completion date for the action here

Select the level of competence you are aiming for in completing the action

Click here to save any changes to the action

You can select the status of the action here

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Reflect on actions Once you have completed an action, it can be reflected upon. This will allow you to state how valuable the learning has been and how much time and effort you have spent on it.

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You can answer a series of questions to judge the impact of the learning activity undertaken. This will be attached to the appropriate action and act as a constant record in support of professional development.

Select Save when you have completed your reflection

The competency and action that you are reflecting on are shown here