Overview
This article provides guidance for staff members completing a Personal Development Plan (PDP) using the Digital PDP Tool. It outlines current known issues affecting the platform and the recommended steps to help you complete and submit your PDP successfully.
Preparing Your PDP
The Digital PDP Tool may occasionally be affected by wider HSeLanD service interruptions.
To reduce the risk of losing your work, it is recommended that you prepare your PDP content in a Microsoft Word document before entering it into the tool.
Recommended Approach
- Draft your PDP responses in a Word document.
- Save the document on your device.
- Copy and paste your completed responses into the Digital PDP Tool when you are ready.
This ensures you keep a copy of your work if the platform becomes unavailable.
Saving Your Work
If you are completing your PDP directly within the Digital PDP Tool, use Save and Continue regularly throughout the process.
Best Practice
- Save your work within the first few minutes of starting.
- Continue saving every few minutes while you are completing your PDP.
- Save your work before leaving your session.
Frequent saving helps minimise the amount of work that could be lost if the platform is interrupted.
PDP Meeting Reminders
There is a known issue affecting the reliability of reminder emails generated by the Digital PDP Tool.
What should I do?
When you and your line manager agree a PDP meeting date:
- Add the meeting to your calendar immediately.
- Ensure your line manager has also added the meeting to their calendar.
Important
Do not rely on reminder emails from the Digital PDP Tool. Both you and your line manager should diarise the meeting outside the tool to ensure it is not missed.
Completing Your PDP on Paper
If you are unable to complete your PDP online, a paper-based option is available for the current PDP cycle.
How do I complete a paper-based PDP?
The Digital PDP Tool can generate a PDF version of your PDP. This can be printed and completed manually if required.
Need Help?
Speak to your line manager if you need support completing your PDP using the paper-based process.
Future Improvements
Further updates will be communicated as they become available.
Key Recommendations
To help ensure a smooth PDP process:
- Draft your PDP content in a Word document before entering it into the tool.
- Save your work every few minutes using Save and Continue.
- Add PDP meetings to your calendar when dates are agreed.
- Do not rely on reminder emails from the Digital PDP Tool.
- Speak to your line manager if you need to complete your PDP on paper.
Further Support
If you experience issues using the Digital PDP Tool or submitting your PDP, please contact your line manager in the first instance or contact the HSeLanD Support Team for further assistance.