Sample IDP Action Plan
After reflecting on your progress, career goals, and broad goals for the coming year(s) (example here), it is time to create an action plan (the list of actions you will take this year).
This example is using forms used in the GSBS prior to launch of the GSBS IDP portal in 2025:
The form had not allowed users to format text entered. Therefore, in this sample "Jess" attached their plan to the end of the form.
When you scroll down to the attachment, you will see that Jess attached two versions of their plan. This two-step process seems to work well for many people:
- First, Jess developed their plan thematically: the first three pages of their attachment list SMART goals under each broad goal category area.
- Then, Jess listed the same goals in chronological order (see the fourth and fifth pages).
The thematic-then-chronological process may be done in different formats. For example, some people like to organize their actions (also called "SMART goals") thematically in a table format (with three columns: projects, skills, career advancement) or as a flow chart. It may help to use the process of mind mapping. After having a thematic list of SMART goals, some people translate their goals directly to a calendar rather than to a list as Jess did. Or, type your SMART goals into the “Set Goals” section of myIDP and myIDP will automatically generate the thematic and chronological versions on the “myIDP Summary” page. Or, visualize them in a 1-page Gantt chart. Be creative and represent your IDP in whatever format works best for you.
Thematic IDP
In this format, the IDP is organized by theme (broad goal Jess aims to achieve). Each broad goal has a set of SMART goals associated with it. This is an intuitive way to initially draft your IDP.
Chronological IDP
Here, Jess has taken the thematic IDP above and re-arranged it into chronological order organized by semester. This allows Jess to better consider how realistic the overall plan is. Jess likes to post this chronological IDP at their desk.
GSBS form used prior to the new GSBS IDP portal's launch in 2025
