Personal Development Plan

Planning theory has emerged as an essential subject. As a result, the issue has a journal solely dedicated to the topic and courses on its history and theory studied in most planning schools. In other areas, planning theory has been mandated for accreditation (Allmendinger, 2017, p.67). However, regardless of this apparent success, skeptics have still dismissed its expediency in practice. Therefore, the current essay encompasses a personal development plan documenting my process of self-analysis, personal reflection, and evaluation for further professional development based on the procedural planning approach of the planning theory.

Personal Analysis

My management and simple skills are virtuous while my comprehensive knowledge is largely all-encompassing as required by my training level. I have become adept with confidence after demonstrating my ability to cope with the pressures of project management. The results of my assessment indicate that I am composed while undertaking practical work while at the same time providing clear and adequate guidance. Through an opportunity to spearhead a team for an extended period, I have been able to demonstrate my ability to offer clear direction and manage people to accomplish specific tasks despite being under pressure. However, I was able to experience some challenges in the process as it was difficult to find a balance between my work life and maintaining physical fitness.  Furthermore, I discovered in the process that I need more time when planning tasks to make them thorough before briefing my team. Nonetheless, I was able to prove to my employer my adeptness in leadership and structured management experience in spearheading organizations to accomplish specific tasks.

Setting Goals

I want to develop a greater depth of leadership knowledge in external business activities and project planning. I would also strive to broaden my comprehension of leadership as Meredith and Mantel (2012, p.226) stipulates by; recovering my fitness; attaining the core skills in business and enhancing my planning and decision-making skills. To achieve these goals, I will need to adequately understand the theory of planning; get to appreciate my department team and develop their trust and confidence in me; pinpoint essential opportunities for training in preparation, event forecasts, and deconflict with social and work life; learn through observing how other experienced project managers plan and fulfill their responsibilities; and gain further knowledge and experience of the business analysis process. Furthermore, as Hickson (2011, p.829), asserts I will need some support resources which include:  advice from my superiors and feedback from the team; discussion and agreement on my priorities with my superiors; advice from a gym and fitness expert; and training opportunities. I will assess the level of attainment of the stated goals through course assessment and appraisal reports from my superiors.

Personal Objectives

As my short-term goal – within the next one year – I plan to complete a planning course so that I can be eligible to engage with sophisticated business project planning activities. However, I acknowledge that these goals may slip into the second year but not further than that. My medium-term objectives – within the next three year – I expect to be assigned responsibility for planning more significant projects as well as managing and leading a bigger team in undertaking a challenging business project. Longer-term goals – more than three years – achieve promotion to central planning and management and attain the support of senior managers and my work colleagues as I strive toward becoming the head of the planning department.

References List

Allmendinger, P. (2017), Planning Theory. Macmillan International Higher Education.

Hickson, H. (2011), Critical Reflection: Reflecting on Learning To Be Reflective. Reflective Practice, 12(6), pp.829-839.

Meredith, J.R. & Mantel Jr, S.J. (2011), Project Management: a Managerial Approach. John Wiley & Sons.