Last Updated: 1st May 2025
Take charge of your growth with a Personal Development Plan template. Learn how to set clear goals, track progress, and achieve success with our practical guide, examples, and free template.
Personal & Professional Development
Article
Ready to take control of your professional or personal growth? A Personal Development Plan template could be just what you need to break your goals down into actionable steps.
Our comprehensive guide shows you exactly how to create and use an effective PDP, with practical examples and a free template to get you started.
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A Personal Development Plan (PDP) is a structured framework that helps you set, track and achieve your goals.
Having a growth mindset - aka. believing in your ability to learn and develop - is key to making the most of your plan. Rather than just another form to fill in, a good PDP template is a simple but powerful tool that turns your aspirations into actionable steps and measurable progress.
A well-crafted Personal Development Plan helps you:
In fact, research shows that having a PDP can make a real difference, with up to 38.4% of people saying it helped them reach their career goals!
Learning how to write a personal development plan doesn't need to be complicated. Our PDP template breaks it down into 5 simple steps.
Start by identifying what you want to achieve. The personal development plan template provides space for both short-term and long-term goals. For example:
Short-term: Complete an online management course by December
Long-term: Move into a senior leadership position within three years
For each goal in your Personal Development Plan, establish:
When writing your personal development plan, ensure each goal is:
Specific: Clear and well-defined
Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved it
Achievable: Realistic within your resources
Relevant: Aligned with your broader aims
Time-bound: Has a clear deadline
This helps to ensure that each goal is considered and all core aspects of achieving it have been taken into consideration.
List what you'll need to achieve each goal. This could include resources like training or qualifications, time commitments or financial requirements.
It might also include support from other people. Keep reading to find out how to build your support network.
Our personal development plan template includes dedicated sections for:
Here are a few additional tips to help you get the most from your Personal Development Plan.
While having a personal development plan template is essential, implementing your PDP shouldn't be a solo journey. Many people focus on filling in their PDP template but forget that building a strong support network can significantly improve their chances of success.
Wondering who might be able to aid your development? Key people in your support network could include:
Your PDP shouldn't be a static document. Evaluating learning and development should become a regular habit - schedule monthly check-ins to review progress and quarterly deep-dives to assess if your goals need adjusting.
This regular evaluation helps maintain momentum and ensures your development stays on track.
While PDPs are excellent tools for career advancement, they offer many other benefits:
Your PDP can be a powerful tool in performance reviews and career discussions. It demonstrates initiative and commitment to your professional growth, while helping align your development with organisational needs. Share relevant parts with your manager to show how your goals support team and business objectives.
Ready to start your career development journey? Check out our free Personal Development Plan template below and begin mapping your path to success.
And if you're looking to supercharge your professional growth, explore our range of business and leadership courses designed to help you achieve your goals faster.
Before starting, consider both your long-term career aspirations and immediate development needs at least monthly.