Pitfalls of personal development plans - The user perspective

This study was conducted to investigate which pitfalls users of personal development plans (PDPs) perceive in business and governmental organisations with mandatory PDP use. Hundred and thirty-one written statements of PDP users across three Dutch organisations were analysed and categorised into nine pitfalls. Next to an overall lack of use and incentives for use, PDP users emphasised the need for the tool to be properly implemented and supported in terms of learning and reflection, instruction and feedback, and having a motivating supervisor. Implications for practice include the need to commit to the tool on an organisational, supervisor and individual learner level.