What is an Individual Development Plan (IDP)?

• A. A structured plan outlining goals, actions, and timelines for an employee's development
• B. A checklist for annual performance review
• C. A mandatory onboarding plan
• D. A career path within the organization

Answer: (A)

An Individual Development Plan is a structured plan outlining goals, actions, and timelines for an employee's development. It’s a personalized, forward-looking document created by the employee with input from a supervisor or mentor, detailing the specific skills and competencies to build, the concrete steps to develop them (such as courses, on-the-job assignments, coaching, mentoring, or stretch projects), the resources needed, and clear milestones and deadlines. The purpose is to guide growth over time and align the employee’s development with both their career aspirations and the organization’s needs. Progress is tracked and reviewed regularly, and the plan is updated as goals or circumstances change. This approach is distinct from a performance-review checklist, which focuses on past performance; from onboarding plans, which guide initial integration; and from a formal career path, which maps potential future roles without prescribing the day-to-day development steps.