Developing Work Priorities: A Professional Development Plan

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DEVELOP WORK PRIORITIES
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Table of Contents
Assessment Task 1: Written Questions...........................................................................................3
Assessment 2.................................................................................................................................14
References......................................................................................................................................16
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Assessment Task 1: Written Questions
Question 1
a. A 360-degree feedback is also termed as multi-source feedback and multi-source
assessment. It is a process or system in which employees receive feedback from various
people working around them, this can be managers, subordinates, supervisors, colleagues
etc. This tool is used by many companies as a development tool and performance
appraisal tool. This is referred to as a development tool as it helps the employees in
identifying the capabilities and competencies as well as weaknesses. This analysis helps
the individual in personal and professional development too. Also, this system acts s a
performance appraisal tool as it determines and measures the performance of the
employee. Thus, 360-degree feedback helps in measuring the following:
 Behaviours and competencies of an individual
 It addresses various skills such as planning, listening, goal setting
 It focuses on various areas like leadership effectiveness, teamwork etc.
There are various advantages associated with the 360-degree feedback process. These involve
bringing people together and identifying development opportunities.
This tool is widely accepted by the companies as it is a reliable and accurate source of
performance appraisal rating and improves the performance level. The sources of 360-degree
feedback can be managers and subordinates. This feedback can be further used as a benchmark
in the employee development plan.
b. At the time of giving feedback, I used E-mail as a communication channel and it was
regarding the poor performance of the employee. I used this technique so that it cannot be
revealed to any other person and also the employee will not get into discomfort. As the
email communication channel is used I cannot notice any verbal or nonverbal cues.
On the other hand, once I also received feedback from my senior regarding not following
the rules and guidelines of the company. He told me this feedback in a face to face
interaction along with also guided me properly. I properly listened to the manager who gave
me feedback and at first, I felt bad about it but then I understood that I should adhere to the
rules and regulations of the company in order to maintain a positive work environment.
c. c. Giving feedback is necessary either it is positive or negative. Positive feedback is
significant to enhance morale and understanding, and on the other side, negative feedback
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is also essential to improve the work performance. There are various issues regarding
giving negative feedback such as creating misunderstanding, confusions, and the
employee may get offended, etc. Thus, it is essential to give negative feedback more
effectively so that the employee may not feel offended and inferior. The negative
feedback should not be provided in front of everyone, and it should outline the behavior
not person. It must be provided by remaining calm and also the point of view of that
person should be considered. Apart from this, a proper time limit must be established to
review actions and improvements.
Question 2
(a)
Professional development is the process of improving abilities and increasing competencies and
skill set to raise the value of accomplishing professional standards and work in an effective
manner. Professional development is significant for every individual in order to develop an area
of expertise, developing a professional identity, sharing knowledge and information, etc. It
comprises of learning, mentoring, consultation, reflection, practice, improvement, and study. The
ways to undertake professional development are listed below:
 Professional development can be undertaken by continuing education. Education and
learning is a lifelong and never-ending process. It can be attained by enrolling in formal
degree programs, workshops, seminars, courses, etc. Moreover, one should aim at
pursuing certification courses as it helps in gaining knowledge and information about the
recent issues and various other topics. It helps in increasing the competency and
knowledge base which is essential for working in any organization as a professional.
 Another way to enhance professional standards is by attending skill-based training
sessions. Attending such training sessions helps in learning conceptual information and
behaviors. Also, training sessions are provided by mentors and coach, and they are able
to provide honest feedback and also guide in a proper manner.
 The third way is to participate in professional organizations. For instance participating in
local, regional, national or international meetings, seminars, and conferences. Apart from
this, presenting research papers at workshops and conferences is also a great idea.
Furthermore, coordinating events and conferences that are sponsored by professional
organizations is also an alternative.
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(B)
In order to identify the professional development needs various steps can be taken. These are
listed below:
What would you do How would you do it
The first and foremost step that is taken by me
in order to determine my professional
development need is to conduct my SWOT
analysis. This activity will help me in
determining my strengths, weakness,
opportunities, and threats. This is considered as
the best way to assess the capabilities and weak
areas where improvements are required.
In order to conduct my SWOT analysis, several
steps have been taken. This includes:
 Assessment of my strengths and
capabilities. This includes identifying
my core competencies in which I am
good at.
 After that, it includes an analysis of my
weak areas where improvements are
required.
 In this step, the opportunities that are
available to me in my professional
development are recognized
 After that, the last phase of SWOT
analysis emphasizes the threats
associated.
The second step is taking feedback from peers,
colleagues, and superiors.
This can be done by identifying the individual
from which I am aimed at taking feedback and
then within a particular medium I will take the
feedback. This feedback can be taken from
either email, reports, personal interaction etc.
The last activity is the attempt of giving
personality tests.
The steps for personality test include choosing
the assessment that matches my needs and then
selecting a work-related personality
assessment. The last step is to select a
validated personality assessment.
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Question 3
Wrike
It is one of the most used business application tool used by the plan and manages the workload
(Richardsen, 2019). It is software as a service product that enables its users to plan, track
projects, schedules, and other workflow related processes in real time.
Features:
Seamless communication
Resource management
Effective task management
Organized task management
Collaborative editing tool
Monday.com
It is a visual tool used for project management. It helps in transforming the way the team works
together (Chaufan and Saliba, 2019). It is an intuitive tool that helps people build a transparent
work culture, meet deadlines, and manage work.
Features:
Secure communication as it tags people
Easy collaboration through tag teams as multiple employees use it
Displays visual progress
Ability to leave live comments
Availability of Adobe copy paste
Clarizen
It is also a visual software service tool that provides a holistic approach to work and project
management (Kokt and Palmer, 2019). It links the project management with social engagement
in a relaxed and effortless manner. It automatically prioritizes the crucial tasks and projects along
with all the essential resources and information appropriately.
Features:
Time tracking
Issue tracking
Project scheduling
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Project portfolio management
Resource management
Project manager
It is an award-winning project management tool available online that aids its users in execution,
budgeting, scheduling, and providing efficiency in project planning monitoring and re-reporting
with ease (Sulea, 2019).
Features:
Usability in long as well as short duration projects
Ability to create and manage tasks via the cloud
Real-time dashboard
Quick report generation available
Availability of an automated email
Question 4
A) The 5 Ds of a project management tool is
Discovery – A deliverable business case
Definition – Technical requirements and as per user stories
Design – Easy user interface and experience
Development – Source code and working conditions
Delivery – Shippable release
B) Gantt chart is a project management tool used in assisting in the planning and scheduling of
projects of all sizes (Saunders, et al. 2019). It uses horizontal tables that are developed as a
production control tool that helps in providing a graphical illustration of a schedule that helps to
plan, coordinate and track specific tasks in a project. Mr. Henry Gantt invented it in the years
around 1910-1915.
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The examples of Gantt chart that shows the terminal and summary elements are as follows -
Figure 1 Gantt chart for construction and planning schedule
(Source: Nathan Gilmore, 2012)
The terminal elements are design, foundation and framing, plumbing and electrical. The
summary elements are the graphical description of the charts.
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Figure 2 Gantt chart for software development
(Source: Nathan Gilmore, 2012)
In the above-given chart sprint, 1 and sprint 2 represents the terminal elements and the graph
with the time gaps represent summary elements.
Question 5
Techniques used to prepare work plans are
 It all starts with strategic planning so that the common goal, focus, energy, and resources
are all aligned together (Bacalan, et al. 2019). A strategy is needed that can cover all the
areas, cover different time frames during the project.
 The next technique that is used is action planning that focuses on the day to day activities
to set out a time table for the completion of projects. It increases the level of efficiency
and motivation at the same time it acts as a useful tool for monitoring and evaluating the
task that has been completed.
 After the action planning is done with, tactical planning starts by covering all the extra
levels of detail in the tactical plan will help the individuals as well, as the team what is
exactly needed from them.
 Operational planning helps in aligning the various functions of the business. In this
planning level budgets are prepared for each department along with their specified tasks
so that no two departments work on the same project.
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 Once the operational planning is complete with, the work of assumption based planning
starts (Chowdhury and Willmott, 2019). It focuses on the future by identifying
assumptions that are crucial to any plan. It helps the company prepare for any
contingency that may arise in the future that may affect the project.
 A separate contingency planning could also be done in case assumption planning is not
enough to quantify any future effects in case the worst scenario occurs. Once the risks
have been identified, contingency plans are drawn for if they happen, laying out the
actions need to be taken. What triggers the event and the time frame for action budgeting
(Brattström and Hellström, 2019). Contingency plans are often left unused by the
company, but they are still worked out as they save a lot of money. For example –
change in governmental legislations etc.
Question 6
Identifying the learning needs within the organization in regarding work role is really
challenging, it is very likely that the firm does it already. Assessing or identifying the needs can
help the organization as well as an individual with their learning (Miller, et al. 2019). It can also
help the business to balance the needs of a person and group needs of all members. Below are
some methods or techniques to identify the learning needs of the organization-
 360-degree appraisal
This technique involves asking the colleagues and give feedback based on strengths and
weakness by the management team. Colleagues and other staff can provide feedback based on
their knowledge, attitude, skill, and abilities as a team player. The input must be descriptive or
balanced; this practice will help to the cooperation to achieve desired goals.
 Critical incident reviews
The key aim of these reviews is to find out what went wrong, how and why it went incorrect and
techniques to avoid errors from being repeated. Such reviews must be considered by the
organization and try to find out possible ways to resolve the same (Payler, et al. 2019).
 Self-assessment
Self-assessment includes maintaining a diary or record of learning needs that crop up during
the whole running day. This will help the individuals to fill the gap within the organization.
 Observation
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Observation includes ask colleagues to monitor their reviews and give feedback or positive
response with respect to their work.
 Questionnaire
It includes the list of questions regarding employees work issue, environment and working
condition. This will help to enlarge confidence among the employees that will in turn help
motivate them.
Question 7
Clients are debatably one of the most key significant factors of starting and maintaining a
successful business. Not only sustaining and developing a relationship with clients are essential
but to anticipate and identify client's needs are more important. When the organization
understands the client's needs and requirements, the business will be in a better position to ensure
the client's satisfaction (Simonsson and Magnusson, 2019). The firm may also increase overall
productivity and profitability with respect to a strong client relationship. Following are the ways
that will aid the organization to develop relations with clients-
 Communicating with clients regularly
Regular and consistent communication is necessary for all relationship when talking about
the client's relationship it is essential for the organization. The organization can communicate
with your clients on a daily basis, sharing company news, arrangement regular check-ins and
interacting with clients through social media.
 Positive attitude
The organization should stay positive and optimistic and refrain from negativity about
clients. The attitude with which the organization behaves, it has a reflective effect on how the
clients feel about the relationship with others. Staying enthusiastic and optimistic makes
stressed free and productive while negativity can leave a bad taste in the mouth of clients.
 Asking for feedback
It's essential to ask for the client's feedback after completion of the project. The organization can
take or conduct a formal approach through clients satisfaction survey, questionnaire and by mail.
The reason behinds taking feedback is to address any concerns and is dedicated to improving the
quality of business (Miotto, et al. 2019)
 Relying on clients
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Sometimes, the clients give some suggestions and recommendations on how to do things better
or more efficiently.
Question 8
There are some communication strategies available to rebuild or reconstruct relationship with
clients who are confrontational or challenging to deal with the organization-
First, personal interaction can be feasible to restore or reconstruct relationship with
confrontational clients because it helps the clients in a many ways such as face to face interaction
creates a feeling of preference in the mind of the clients. Second, Face to face communication
makes it easier than what a client thinks because it includes body language, gestures, postures
and facial expression of the clients. Third, personal interaction creates a bond between clients
and the company that produces a pathway for future projects as well. Fourth, face to face
interaction creates motivation and leadership between the clients which will be the result of
future growth of the company (Read and Leland, 2019)
Two-way communications can be developed between the company and clients to rebuild the
relationship with clients. It is the process of interchanging thoughts and ideas from the sender to
the receiver. Two-way communication increases the client’s participation and engagement with
the management of the company. It gives support to clients and solves the problems and issues as
fast as possible and in the right manner.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Details of
PD
Type Date/s Cost Location Expected
benefits to
self
Expected
benefits to
the team
Leadership Lack of
language
command
23rd
January-
30th
January
$500 Sydney Able to lead
in future
projects
Develop
confidence
in
subordinates
Presentatio
n skills
Professional
command
15th
February-
21st
$145 Melbourne Make a
presentation
for a
Good
delivery of
the
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