Personal and Professional Development Report: SWOT, Plan & Reflection

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of personal and professional development, tailored for a Border Force officer. It begins with an introduction to the importance of lifelong learning, followed by a detailed SWOT analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The report outlines a personal development plan, addressing identified skill gaps and outlining strategies for improvement. The report then delves into the implementation of the development plan, documenting activities undertaken and critically reflecting on learning outcomes. Finally, the report addresses problem-solving skills, communication strategies, and time management techniques, concluding with an overall assessment of the development process and its impact on the individual's professional growth.

Personal and Professional
Development

Table of Contents
Personal and Professional Development............................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Discuss the importance of Personal Professional Development for Life Long learning for
career and personal development...........................................................................................3
P.2.1 Identify and Present your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a Matrix
framework...............................................................................................................................4
P.2.2 Identify own development needs and how you would meet these for your chosen career
................................................................................................................................................5
P.2.3 State what opportunities are available for development for your current and future needs
................................................................................................................................................6
P.2.4.Develop a holistic development plan based on identified needs and the results of the
SWOT Analysis......................................................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P.3.1 Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan......8
P.3.2.Undertake and document development activities as planned........................................8
P.3.3Critically reflect on learning against the original aims................................................10
3.4 Update the plan based on your review...........................................................................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................11
P.4.1 Identify and select solutions to work based problems................................................11
P.4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels...........12
P.4.3. Evaluate the use of effective time management strategies.........................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Personal and professional development is the procedure of in which an individual is
trying to overcome form different challenges so as to achieve their tasks within stipulated time.
This is an important aspect as this ensures improved performance so as to achieve personal and
professional objectives as well (Ahmed and Ward, 2016). This concept is associated with
enhancing self-development and inner skills in various fields. This report is associated with
border force officer which are working so as to protect the country and their heritage. This file is
based on various tasks which are based on lifelong learning. These tasks are helpful in making
personal development plan and enhancing inter-personal skills.
TASK 1
P1 Discuss the importance of Personal Professional Development for Life Long learning for
career and personal development
Lifelong learning: This theory is about explaining learning methods in aspect of formal
and informal scenario so as to enhance knowledge and try to grasp new learning. Learning
process is part of human life which assists them in achieving goals within personal and
professional life. This helps border force officer to enhance their skills of dedication and other so
as to come up with so many opportunities to grow and serve nation as well. Here are some
importance of personal professional development within lifelong learning has been elaborated:
A sense of direction: When awareness has been established then this renders a path of
direction that what is the major life goal and those value within career and personal life. In the
context of border work force they are highly dedicated towards their duties and put high efforts
so as to execute those duties. So when learning is taken for life time this stimulates sense of
direction which may give high heights within career and personal life as well.
Accountability and sustainability: Lifelong learning is helpful in enhancing skills so
this assist person to take accountability of their assigned task so as to get long term sustainability
with personal and professional life.

Societal satisfaction: Life-long learning is essential for organisation and society so as to
meet needs and demands of society. As in context of border force officer they are working 24*7
so as to protect their nation and satisfy society in prominent manner. This helps them to
subsistence their role towards society and nation in a prominent manner.
P.2.1 Identify and Present your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in a Matrix
framework.
Personal audit is a procedure in which personal audit is conducted so as to evaluate
personal ability so as to enhance their capabilities to achieve success. This helps an individual to
recognise their own weaknesses so as to eliminate them (Eaton, 2016). In this context it can be
said that a person is required to put their high efforts so as to inculcate their skill and talent. Here
are some skills which are available in current scenario, these are elaborated as under:
Professional Skills Explanation
Leadership Skills In this context in order to lead a team Is not an easy task to
manage whole team with high efficiency as due to team I
shaving so many works to manage. Here in order to get
effective results problems should be solved in effective
manner. As by looking at my leadership skills, I can rank my
abilities to 6 out of 10. So conclusively I need some
improvements within this area.
Listening Skills At every situation of time a person is required to listen and then
implement something. When a person is having listening
abilities they may have high professional and personal growth
as things explained by someone retains in their mind for long
time. I am having excellent listening abilities so I rate myself
within this parameter 8 out of 10 (Johnson, Prescott and Lyon,
2017).
Communication Skills Communication skills are having prominent role in numerous
situations as this assists to understand various points within
operation in an effective manner. Out of 10 within this
parameter I would like to rate myself 7 out 10 but still within

this aspect improvement is required.
Managing Risk I am good at managing risk in a very systematic manner. I am
looking forward to make my team that much effective that they
can take risk and perform in considerable way.
P.2.2 Identify own development needs and how you would meet these for your chosen career
In any situation it is required for individuals to have knowledge about their skills and
capabilities so as to recognise need for further improvements. With the purpose to recognise I
have opted SWOT analysis this assist me in collecting all the relevant information which are
enlisted below:
Strength Weaknesses
 In my opinion I have very good
listening habits by which I listen to
those points that are elaborated by
others.
 Another strength is that I keep records
and manage them in a proper manner.
This helps me to manage records
which are related to my profession and
assist me to review the same whenever
required.
 In some situation I lose my confidence
and feel anxiety, this is the main
reason at some task I got failed.
 My communication skills are quiet
low so by this I can’t express my ideas
and this create barrier in my success.
Opportunity Threats
 I am having huge opportunity to
overcome with my weaknesses so as
to accomplish my goals on time. For
instance with the help of enhancing
my communication skills I will be
able to stay confident at some
situations which makes me nervous
(Kahraman and Abdullah, 2016).
 Due to my weakness other person may
get opportunity to execute task in
better way which can create hurdle for
me in life and my profession.

Skills to be developed Methods to be developed
Communication skills  Trying to encompass within in
effective communication.
 Attending huge group discussion
Leadership Skills  Reading various articles and
publications related to leadership
quality and importance.
 Taking assistance from seniors.
P.2.3 State what opportunities are available for development for your current and future needs
In current scenario people are getting various opportunities which are helping them to
perform in way better manner. In order to perform in a better way I am required to stay
acknowledged with mu skills and abilities so that to lift up my working standards and implement
improvements (McMahon and et. al.,2016). Some of the current and future requirements are
enlisted below:
 Current needs: It is connected with my profession where task of daily are required to be
completed on appropriate time frame. Respectively I analysed that I am a person who
believes in completing the given task before time so this is helpful for me to accomplish
goals within stipulated time.
 Future needs: In daily basis, needs are increased so it is required that leadership skills
should be enhanced so as to deal with complex situation. As I am looking forward to
make my career in border force officer so effective leadership skills helps me to enhance
my guidance skill within team (Monty and Warren-Wenk, 2017).
In addition, I am required to work on the ground of enhancing the g skills, leading
people, managing individual performance as they all are necessary in context of profession.

P.2.4.Develop a holistic development plan based on identified needs and the results of the
SWOT Analysis.
Learning
objective/ goals
Current
Proficiency
Target
Proficiency
Development Opportunity Time Scale
Leadership Skill 6 8.5 In any kind of organisation
leadership skills are having
prominent role. So with this
context I will try to enhance
my leadership skills by
taking help form seniors
and reading articles of
various authors related to
this skill (Princen and et.
al., 2016).
2 months
Communication
Skills
3 9 This skill is having major
role as in expressing own
thoughts to other so as to
establish effective
communication. For this I
can attend various session
and group discussion so as
to deal with this.
2.5 months
Usage of new
technologies
5 8 This is the skill under
which convenience is tested
as for new technologies as I
am very weak in adopting
new technology and in
order to improve this I am
required to take lessons so
2-3 months

as to stay friendly with new
technologies (Ragan, 2018).
Problem solving
skills
4 9 This skill is having
prominent role in solving
complex problems. With
this context for improving
this skill I am going to take
solve those problem
without help of anyone.
2-3 months
TASK 2
P.3.1 Discuss the processes and activities required to implement the development plan.
Skills & Ability Aims & objective Resources needed to
accomplish my objective
Time Management
Skills
It is essential for border force
officer to manage their time so
as to complete task in
appropriate manner.
When I am able to gather all the
necessary information regarding
my task then it will be easier for
me to manage time.
Planning This is essential for me to plan
my routine on regular basis so as
to cover the entire given task and
their implementation with high
efficiency (Rockman, 2019).
The higher authorities are giving
appropriate resources and
approaches so as to manage
working in border forces.
Communication Skills When task has been
communicated in a very
effective manner then this will
be easier to accomplish gaols
within stipulated time frame.
Here I am taking assistance of
various communication channels
so as to gather information and
make other understand about my
thoughts.

P.3.2.Undertake and document development activities as planned.
Time period
of work
Activity
Undertaken
What has been
learned till now
What is the next
step
When to do
Week 1 This week is based
on difficulties
faced by a border
force officer.
I am required to
collect information
about rules and
regulations which
has increased my
complexity level.
Under this stage
advices will be
given which are
associated with the
faced difficulties.
First week
Week 2 Within this week I
am required to look
for those skills and
capabilities which
are requisite to be
reformed.
Detailed study
should be performed
for implemented
ideas (Rowe, 2017).
All the information
should be written so
those to provide me
help in future
whenever needed.
Same week
Week 3 This will be the
week for
improvements and
compactness.
Within this stage
work will be
evaluated which is
performed by others.
This will be
essential for me to
enhance required
skills so as to
enhance my
knowledge.
Same
Week
Week 4 Taking Response The entire execution
task will be
evaluated.
This is essential to
collect all the
required
information in
systematic manner
so as to generate
feedbacks and work
upon suggestions.
Same
Week
Week 5 Doing better All the planning of Under this stage In

future improvements
is to be done within
systematic manner
(Saric and Steh,
2017).
entire work will be
reviewed by
seniors.
respective
week only.
P.3.3Critically reflect on learning against the original aims
The development plan is very important for me so as to improvise my entire skills. This
has impacted me in a positive way so as to perform in a better way within my profession of
border force officer. Self-learning assisted me to enhance my communication skill so that I could
communicate with another person in easy manner. Border force officer is a duty to nation so I am
required to perform my action as according to that manner only.
In order to enhance my skills and knowledge it is essential for me to attend various group
discussions and seminars so as to take help form that and stimulate my knowledge level so as to
complete my daily tasks in an effective way. With the help of those sessions I have enhanced my
skills or problem solving and risk management. Besides this I have improved my leadership
skills due to that now I am able to lead and guide my team in more effective and considerable
way. Along with this with the help of those skills I can delegate tasks according to their calibre
and potential so as to get benefits from their skills.
3.4 Update the plan based on your review
Information regarding development is enlisted below:
Learning
Needs
Position Activities to be
Interpreted
Resources
Required
Proof of Achievement
Time
Management
Quality
High This is required
to be
accomplished
with the
assistance of
conferences,
Appropriate
time
Documents of written proof can
be accessible

meetings and
seminars and
those should be
conducted within
regular basis.
Management
Quality
Moderate Emphasising on
more on
collected
information
which is helpful
to taking out
positive results
for the given
profession of
border force
officer.
Time as well
as proper
financial
support will
be
compulsory
Certificate of accomplishing the
results.
These are some of the prominent situation which is having impact over a border force
officer. This will stimulate the officer to perform in a better way so that to take care of his nation
and to serve their nation in more effective way. Learning form the above plan will exhibit high
increment in skills and personal development of border force officer (Ugelvik, 2016).
TASK 3
P.4.1 Identify and select solutions to work based problems.
In current time conditions for working has been changed where various problems are
raised by border force officer. This is required to understand the major objectives to solve issues
as they are having direct impact over whole the country and border officers. Some problems are
enlisted below with six stage of problem solving:

 Defining the problem: The major problem faced by border force officers are irregular
migrations.
 Root causes of the problem: The reason of this problem is thousands of people reach to
UK on a regular basis and they have to attend regular shift or more than 13-14 hours a
day.
 Develop Alternative Solution: There are number of solution which can be taken so as to
solve this problem and the foremost solution is to recruit more people so as to lower
working pressures.
 Select the solution: This solution can be used by border force authority so as to diminish
this problem.
 Implementation of Solution: This solution should be updated and vacancies by help of
various communication channels (Van Waes and et. al., 2016).
 Evaluate the Outcome: This stage will have evaluation of solution with regard of
problem and this stage will bring prominent changes for future.
P.4.2 Communicate in a variety of styles and appropriate manner at various levels
In every role effective communication is required so as to manage things and convey
other for your opinion. Effective communication and proper information allows the personnel to
take proper decision and to solve problem regarding irregular immigration with this job role.
When communication is effective between all the departments then this will help the border
officer to stimulate information in effective way.
. In terms of Organisation
 Here, organisation is government itself so they can enforce some laws and by which strict
actions can be taken for authorities who are forcing border force officers to do overtime
within their role.
 Organisation is required to cut political pressures so as to decrease turnover of border
force officer in order to solve this problem.
In context of employees
 When border force officer faces any problem then it must be communicated to their
superiors so as to manage those problems so as to solve them in earliest manner.