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Individual Development Plan
http://www.mcgill.ca/caps/files/caps/caps_idp.pdf
An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is essentially a planning document that identifies what your goals and
objectives are for the upcoming year. Although there are many different ways to create an IDP, overall it can be
broken into 3 main steps:
Below is some additional information about each of these steps
1 Identify your goals
Goals are general statements about what you need to accomplish in order to achieve your broader aspirations.
These goals can pertain to your research, professional development needs, and career plans. Some categories to
consider relative to professional development and career planning include:
A. Identify your interests, values, and skills: Self-knowledge will make it easier for you to identify
subsequent goals that will help you to be successful in your research and your chosen career.
B. Research career options, select possible career options, and identify the skills you will need.
C. Develop the skills necessary to pursue these career possibilities: take courses and gain experience.
D. Connect with people in you desired field and identify organizations to work for.
E. Prepare for the job search: application material, interviewing, negotiation.
Identify your goals
•Make a list of goals that you
would like to accomplish in the
upcoming year. Examples:
•To present your work at a
conference
•To expand your skills in
communicating your research
to diverse audiences.
•To broaden your job search to
careers in industry
Break down your goals into
SMART objectives and Actions
•Create specific objectives that
will help you to achieve your
goals.
•Sometimes it will take multiple
actions to achieve your
objective
•Be deliberate about your
choices in order to avoid
getting sidetracked by projects
that may not be in line with
your goals.
Evaluate your progress at
regular intervals
•Create timelines for review, to
ensure that you are on track
with your goals.
•Consider scheduling a regular
meeting with a career
counselllor, a mentor, your
supervisor, or another
researcher in your field to
discuss your progress and
goals.
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