Introduction to Personal Development Planning (PDP) Jovin Kitau

Introduction to Personal Development Planning (PDP)

Jovin KitauJovin Kitau

Overview of the PDP session

An introduction to PDP and how it works

An opportunity to think about your own personal development and career needs

Start developing draft objectives for your PDP Action plan

A strategy to support individuals with their educational, career and professional development

A dynamic process - an iterative cycle of critical reflection, planning, implementing, monitoring, reviewing and evaluating

Used in a variety of contexts - 2001 formal policy in the UK Higher Education system - 2004, mandatory for all postgraduate research students funded by UK research councils

From 2006, used with specific groups of researchers in Africa to support their career and professional development

PDP Overview

What is PDP?

“a and process undertaken by an individual to upon their own learning, performance and/or achievement and to for their personal, educational and career development”

[QAA, 2000]

structured supportedreflect

plan

In the context of UK Higher Education...

An iterative cycle of Planning, Doing,

Recording, Reviewing and Evaluating

An iterative cycle of Planning, Doing,

Recording, Reviewing and Evaluating

Self assessment, identifying & setting personal goals & targets & thinking about

how they might be achieved



Develop a plan and carrying out

activities, developing attitudes

relating to plans

Develop a plan and carrying out

activities, developing attitudes

relating to plans

Evidence (learning, achievements,

ideas...) to support reflective learning

Evidence (learning, achievements,

ideas...) to support reflective learning

The evidence of learning, reflecting on

what has happened and making sense of it

The evidence of learning, reflecting on

what has happened and making sense of it

Making judgements (about self, own work, learning) and determining what needs to be done to develop/improve/

move on

Making judgements (about self, own work, learning) and determining what needs to be done to develop/improve/

move on

Using personal knowledge & evaluation to plan future actions,

change thinking, beliefs and behaviours and communicate learning

and achievement to others

Using personal knowledge & evaluation to plan future actions,

change thinking, beliefs and behaviours and communicate learning

and achievement to others

Planning

Doing

Recording

Reviewing

Evaluating

The PDP Cycle

As a researcher, why do I need PDP?

Support and Enhance your personal, professional and career development – and take ownership of it

An opportunity to help you develop and reach your full potential as an all rounded and excellent researcher

Empower you as a researcher to make an impact in your career and aspire to excellence

Evidence the impact of your professional and career development

Enhance the training and development of researchers in here at KCMC

How can PDP help me to develop as a researcher?

Focus your research and career development and choose methods of development most suited to you

Develop self-reflective and critical thinking skills that are so crucial to learning and confidence building

Be confident about setting yourself career goals

Highlight and articulate the evidence of all your skills and knowledge in your CV, in job applications and at interviews

But just to be clear...

Your Personal Development Plan is not a research plan or a replacement for a research plan. It should complement it

It should not be a list of the stages of the research process, but a plan of personally identified skills and knowledge needed to help development as a researcher – during and beyond your PhD programme

Some resources...

Researcher Development Framework

RDF Framework of the

knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of successful researchers

Enables self-assessment of strengths and areas for further development

www.vitae.ac.uk/rdf

Subject knowledge, research methodology (theoretical and practical application), critical thinking, problem solving...

Self-reflection, responsive to change, time management, networking, career management and CPD

Publications, dissemination of results and impact, team working, collaborations, influence and leadership, people management, mentoring

Knowledge and application of ethical principles, legal requirements and regulations, project planning and delivery, financial management and income and funding generation

Joint Skills Statement

Based on a document devised by the UK Research Councils, it sets out 7 areas of skills and competencies to assist researchers with their development

1. Research skills and techniques2. Research management3. Research environment4. Personal effectiveness5. Communication skills6. Networking and team working7. Career management

1. Research Skills & Techniques

Recognizing and validating research problems. Understanding the relevant research methodologies and techniques for appropriate application to your research

2. Research Environment

3. Research Management

4. Personal Effectiveness

7. Career Management

5. Communication skills

Awareness of research issues: e.g. standards of good research practice, confidentiality, ethical issues, copyright

Effective project management; using information technology appropriately for database management, recording and presenting information

Demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to identify own training needs. Show initiative, work independently and be self-reliant

Writing skills appropriate to style & purpose, e.g. progress reports, published documents, thesis. Presentation skills construct arguments & defend research at seminars, conferences, viva.

6. Networking & Team-working

Develop and maintain networks and working relationships with supervisors, colleagues and peers within the institution and the wider research community Take ownership and manage your career development and progression. Present skills, personal attributes and experiences through effective CVs, applications and interviews

PDP Terminology

PDP is the entire process

The Plan: PDP can also mean your

Personal Development Plan

Which is then referred to as “my

PDP”

The Plan: PDP can also mean your

Personal Development Plan

Which is then referred to as “my

PDP”

The Activities: + Planning+ Developing + Implementing+ Monitoring + Reflecting + Recording + Reporting

The System: The tools, the support, any in-built formal systems (e.g. the annual reporting)

The System: The tools, the support, any in-built formal systems (e.g. the annual reporting)

Some useful websites

http://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers/1218/Postgraduate-researchers.html

http://www.authoraid.info/

http://www.medcol.mw/rsc/index.htm

http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/learning/pdp

Getting started with your PDP

Hazel Mccullough

Learning objectives

By the end of this session, you will have:

Identified at least one personal and career development need

Developed at least one PDP objective to write into your PDP Action Plan

Self assessment, identifying &

setting personal goals & targets &

thinking about how they might be

achieved

Self assessment, identifying &

setting personal goals & targets &

thinking about how they might be

achieved

Planning

Doing

Recording

Reviewing

Evaluating

The PDP Cycle

Action Planning for your PDP

Part of your PDP action planning involves setting overall aim(s) and objectives

Your plan also includes the activities, resources and opportunities to help you achieve these

Setting these PDP activities in a time frame

Thinking about how you will show evidence of achievement

Recording your achievement

Reflecting on your learning

Your PDP Aims

This is a broad statement of what you set out to achieve over a defined period of time

It states your intention of purpose

Ask yourself… What do I want to achieve by undertaking this PDP? Where do I want to be in 5 years time?





Developing a plan, carrying out activities,

developing attitudes

relating to plans

Developing a plan, carrying out activities,

developing attitudes

relating to plans

Planning

Doing

Recording

Reviewing

Evaluating

The PDP Cycle

Starting to write your Plan

Your PDP Objectives These are the “bite-sized” chunks to help you achieve your aim(s)

You may need one or you may need several objectives to help you achieve each of your identified areas for development

Not all your objectives will be about developing skills or even new skills. Some will be about developing knowledge or changing behaviours and attitudes.

Some might be about improving or developing skills that you have got already but at a higher or more advanced level

Your objectives need to be SMART

Most importantly, your objectives relate to your goals

Self-assessment exercise

1. Think about where you are with your PhD, your research project, your career

2. Make a list of the area or areas where you feel you may need to develop / improve to help you progress with your research / PhD / career

1. Research skills and techniques2. Research management3. Research environment4. Personal effectiveness5. Communication skills6. Networking and team working7. Career management

PDP self-assessment exerciseStrengths What am I good at doing?

Areas for DevelopmentWhat areas do I need to work on/ develop or improve?

OpportunitiesWhat are the opportunities / Who are the people that might help me with my PDP?

BarriersWhat are the key obstacles that might prevent me from completing my PDP objectives

Self awareness is a wonderful thing and vital for reflection

1. Research Skills & Techniques

Recognizing and validating research problems. Understanding the relevant research methodologies and techniques for appropriate application to your research

2. Research Environment

3. Research Management

4. Personal Effectiveness

7. Career Management

5. Communication skills

Awareness of research issues: e.g. standards of good research practice, confidentiality, ethical issues, copyright

Effective project management; using information technology appropriately for database management, recording and presenting information

Demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to identify own training needs. Show initiative, work independently and be self-reliant

Writing skills appropriate to style & purpose, e.g. progress reports, published documents, thesis. Presentation skills construct arguments & defend research at seminars, conferences, viva.

6. Networking & Team-working

Develop and maintain networks and working relationships with supervisors, colleagues and peers within the institution and the wider research community Take ownership and manage your career development and progression. Present skills, personal attributes and experiences through effective CVs, applications and interviews

Exercise: drafting your PDP objectives

Using the information from your self assessment sheet, this exercise is to get you to start drafting some of your PDP objectives

Some things to think about:

Is the objective developing a skill from scratch?

Is it improving upon something already learned or known to you – or are you developing the skills at a more advanced level?

Don’t forget about the knowledge that needs developing – and don’t forget about the behaviours and attitudes that you may need to change to improve yourself

Are your objectives SMART?

Do your objectives relate to your aim(s) and your goals?

Use action verbs to write your SMART objectives. Example:

to develop, to gain, to gain knowledge in, to become skilled at... instead of verbs that cannot be easily defined or measured. Example: To learn, to understand, to appreciate... If these verbs are used, formulate them so that they become more measurable – e.g. To learn how to do something – to be able to do something

SPECIFIC MEASURABLE ACHIEVABLE RELEVANT TIME-BOUND

– be clear and concise in meaning and focus – to help you monitor your progress and success

– don’t set yourself up to fail – its purpose is to meet your aim(s) and goals – allow yourself sufficient time

Writing SMART Objectives

Knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviour

Knowledge – refers to content information and data that is applied directly to performing a function

Skills – the practiced ability to do something with a certain amount of dexterity and at varying levels of competency

Attitudes – refer to the learned tendency to act in a consistent way to a particular situation

Behaviour – refers to an action or reaction to something, a situation or someone

Leads to some form

of behaviour change

Leads to some form

of behaviour change

Knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviour: relating to learning and research

Levels of skill competence: From Novice to Expert

NoviceRigidly sticks to the rules and guidelinesNeed close supervision and instruction

NoviceRigidly sticks to the rules and guidelinesNeed close supervision and instruction

Advanced BeginnerAble to manage complex situations partially. Uses own judgement but still

needs some supervision

Advanced BeginnerAble to manage complex situations partially. Uses own judgement but still

needs some supervision

ProficientDeals with complex situations holistically. Takes full responsibility of own

work and others

ProficientDeals with complex situations holistically. Takes full responsibility of own

work and others

Competent Can cope with complex situations through deliberate analysis and

planningCan formulate routines

Competent Can cope with complex situations through deliberate analysis and

planningCan formulate routines

ExpertHolistic grasp of complex situations. Can move between intuitive and

analytical approaches with ease

ExpertHolistic grasp of complex situations. Can move between intuitive and

analytical approaches with ease

Thinking about the activities you will need to undertake to

help you achieve your PDP objectives

Learning Styles – How do you learn?Honey and Mumford (1989) identified four main learning styles:

1. Do you like to get involved in new experiences, focus on the 'here and now', gregarious, seek challenges, are open-minded, and get bored with implementation?

2. Do you 'stand back‘ and look at things from different perspectives, gather data, ponder and analyse, delay reaching conclusions, listen before speaking, thoughtful

3. Do you think things through in logical steps, assimilate disparate facts into coherent theories, rationally objective, reject subjectivity. Tend to be perfectionists

4. Are you keen to seek and try out new ideas, practical, down-to-earth, enjoy problem solving and decision-making quickly, bored with long discussions

Theorists

Activists

Reflectors

Pragmatists

Learning Styles

Try not to see your PDP as an additional task that you need to do along with your PhD and your research – integrate it into your work schedules and work flows

You don’t need a complicated plan – keep it simple, focused and with SMART objectives

PDP is a dynamic process – so review your plan regularly and keep it updated. Schedule this in as a reminder

PDP is not a magic bullet – for it to be effective you need to work with it.

Some key PDP points

What you put into it is what you will get out of it!

Most importantly

Be flexible with your PDP – if you encounter barriers that might stop you from achieving your plan, don’t give up, instead modify your plan to meet the needs of your current situation

Set deadlines for yourself and revise the deadlines as you need to. They are not set in stone!

Reflect on your PDP progress and pat yourself on the back!

Useful websites http://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers/1218/Postgraduate-researchers.html

http://changingminds.org/disciplines/hr/performance_management/smart_objectives.htm

http://globalhealthtrials.tghn.org/articles/

http://www.wwarn.org/toolkit/courses

http://www.umdnj.edu/idsweb/idst5340/models_skills_acquisition.htm

Ref:

Dreyfus H.L. & Dreyfus, S.E. (1986) Mind over machine: the power of human intuition and expertise in the era of the computer. Oxford: Blackwell

Some useful websites

Documents

Introduction to Personal Development Planning (PDP) Jovin Kitau