Here's a checklist I've used to evaluate the quality of a leader's individual development plan. Use to evaluate your own plan or to coach others.
Robustness1. Has the IDP been generated/updated within the last 12 months?
2. Is the IDP complete?
3. Are the development actions substantial?
4. To what extent is there connectivity between the career path, leadership assessment, development needs and planned development actions?
5. Are leadership assessment results linked with the IDP when applicable?
Variety6. Are multiple types of formal and informal learning approaches integrated into the planned activities?
7. To what extent do the planned actions reflect a bias for experiences rather than coursework?
8. How much creativity is reflected in the planned actions?
9. Does the plan offer an opportunity to enhance strengths, as well as address deficiencies?
10. Have “significant other people”, coaches and/or mentors, been identified?
11. Are challenging assignments and projects represented?
12. Are there opportunities for development across organizational boundaries?
Accelerated Development
13. How quickly will the planned actions prepare someone for his/her potential next position?
14. Have aggressive timeframes for accomplishing development actions been established?
Clarity15. Does the plan include specific development needs? (i.e., leadership, communications, financial or planning skills are very broad.) The development opportunities should identify the specific skills, knowledge and/or behaviors that are to be acquired or enhanced.
16. Has a specific timeframe within which the development will be initiated and/or completed been identified?
17. Are there concrete planned actions directly aligned to each identified development need?
Consistent with business needs and succession plans
18. Is the individual’s career plan consistent with succession plans?
19. Do development needs and planned actions support current and future business objectives?
20. Will planned actions prepare the individual for the future (succession) vs. too much focus on current role?
Robustness1. Has the IDP been generated/updated within the last 12 months?
2. Is the IDP complete?
3. Are the development actions substantial?
4. To what extent is there connectivity between the career path, leadership assessment, development needs and planned development actions?
5. Are leadership assessment results linked with the IDP when applicable?
Variety6. Are multiple types of formal and informal learning approaches integrated into the planned activities?
7. To what extent do the planned actions reflect a bias for experiences rather than coursework?
8. How much creativity is reflected in the planned actions?
9. Does the plan offer an opportunity to enhance strengths, as well as address deficiencies?
10. Have “significant other people”, coaches and/or mentors, been identified?
11. Are challenging assignments and projects represented?
12. Are there opportunities for development across organizational boundaries?
Accelerated Development
13. How quickly will the planned actions prepare someone for his/her potential next position?
14. Have aggressive timeframes for accomplishing development actions been established?
Clarity15. Does the plan include specific development needs? (i.e., leadership, communications, financial or planning skills are very broad.) The development opportunities should identify the specific skills, knowledge and/or behaviors that are to be acquired or enhanced.
16. Has a specific timeframe within which the development will be initiated and/or completed been identified?
17. Are there concrete planned actions directly aligned to each identified development need?
Consistent with business needs and succession plans
18. Is the individual’s career plan consistent with succession plans?
19. Do development needs and planned actions support current and future business objectives?
20. Will planned actions prepare the individual for the future (succession) vs. too much focus on current role?
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