An individual development plan (IDP) lays out the skills, experience and learning activities an employee needs to grow in their career - distinct from a performance improvement plan, which exists to address underperformance rather than to support growth.
What it means
An IDP is typically forward-looking and aspirational, built around where the employee wants to go, while a PIP is corrective and built around a gap that needs closing - the two serve different purposes even though both are structured plans.
Where it fits in
An IDP commonly feeds into, or is informed by, career pathing and succession planning, connecting an individual's development goals to the roles the organisation may need them to grow into.
Key rules
- IDP = individual development plan, focused on growth, not correction.
- Distinct in purpose from a performance improvement plan.
- Forward-looking and built around the employee's career aspirations.
- Connects to career pathing and succession planning.
