WRITING A PERSONAL
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
SETTING YOUR
SMART TARGETS
Why use SMART targets?
•
It increases motivation and determination
•
It makes you feel good about yourself
•
It reinforces the desire to keep working and builds
self-confidence
•
It helps you identify areas for improvement
•
It gives you a starting point to monitor your progress
How?
• Complete a skills analysis and compare the results with
the attributes required for relevant jobs
• Identify skills you need to develop/improve in order to be
able to apply for jobs you are interested in
• Consider other areas you feel you would like to develop
• Use this information to help write your SMART targets
Skills Analysis
Complete the following online skills analysis, and screenshot
the results:
https://careersmart.org.uk/tools/career-test-skills-audit
Research task
• Find 3 job adverts for jobs you would be interested in
•
•
•
•
applying for (take screenshots)
List the skills/attributes required for the jobs
Compare this to the skills analysis you completed earlier
Highlight any skills/attributes you need to develop
This information will help you write the SMART targets for
your PLP
SMART target setting principles are used
across a range of disciplines such as business,
sport, education and personal development –
because they are highly
effective!
SMART is an acronym for:
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Realistic
T Time bound
How do I set my
own SMART targets?
When setting your targets ask yourself the
following five questions:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Specific?
Are they precise and well-defined?
Are they clear?
Make sure they are not too general
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Measurable?
How will I know when the target has been
achieved?
What evidence do I need to confirm it?
1. 2.
3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Achievable?
Is it within my capabilities?
Have I got sufficient resources available to enable
this to happen?
Can it be done at all?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Realistic?
Is it possible for me to perform the objective?
How sensible is the objective?
Does it fit into the overall pattern of how I work?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Are my targets Timely?
Is there a deadline?
Is it feasible to meet this deadline?
Do I need to set review dates?
Words to avoid when setting
targets:
SMART
more improve successfully
Less timely effectively
efficiently
regularly
aim to
appropriate
Let's look at an example ...
I will improve my spelling by the end of this year.
 This is not a SMART target as it is neither specific
nor measurable.
Practice spelling five difficult words each day
until the end of November
This target meets all the SMART criteria!
REMEMBER …
SMART is an acronym for:
S Specific
M Measurable
A Achievable
R Realistic
T Time bound
Personal Development Plan
Now add your SMART targets to your PDP
Use a table like the one below to help you: