Dear Deepti,
Career Development Plan (CDP) is an important employee development tool. When the career path is well laid, it gives direction to the employees on how to grow. When the direction is clear, employees get motivated.
Two important components of CDP are Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat (SWOT) Analysis and Likes and Dislikes Survey.
Therefore, the first step is to educate yourself on how to do a SWOT analysis. Please note that the SWOT Analysis that is done by the Marketing Department for the organisation is different from SWOT Analysis for the career.
The second step is educating employee(s) on how to do the SWOT Analysis of one's career. They should not be groping in the dark about what is a career and how to do SWOT Analysis.
The third step is to tell the SWOT Analysis to the employee for him/her. After this, take inputs from the HOD or Manager of the employee on the SWOT Analysis that the employee has done.
The fourth step includes the likes/dislikes of an employee in the CDP.
The fifth step is to ask the following questions:
a) What position employee wishes to acquire in the next 3-5 years? This also can be called making a career goal. This career goal is also based on one's likes and dislikes.
b) What skills are needed to execute the duties of this position effectively?
c) Which skills can be learnt on one's own? Please tell the employee that basic skills like communication skills, listening skills, questioning skills, interpersonal skills etc can be learnt on one's own.
d) For which skills a company can arrange the training programme?
e) For building what skills a Manager can lend a helping hand?
The last step is to decide how to appraise the CDP when it will be done.
Preparing CDP is no easy task and it is a time-consuming activity. Therefore, you may follow the above procedure for your career. Get accustomed to it then start with the other employees.
All the best!
Dinesh Divekar
+91-9900155394