> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.pears.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://support.pears.io/plan/professional-development/create-a-development-plan.md).

# Create a Professional Development Plan

A development plan helps you organize your professional growth by selecting a focus area, core competencies, and the opportunities or activities that support your goals.

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**TIP:** The red asterisk **\*** next to the heading of a field indicates that the field is required.
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#### Navigate to Professional Development

From the PEARS homepage, hover over the **Plan** menu and click **Professional Development**.
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#### Click Add Development Plan

Click the **Add Development Plan** button to open the development plan form.

![Screenshot: The Professional Development page showing the Plans tab with the Add Development Plan button highlighted](/files/suoy0Kno7jrXCFkFFAvm)
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#### Select a Program Area

In the **Program Area** field, select the program area that represents the focus of your development plan.
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#### Select Core Competency

In the **Core competency to focus on this year** field, select the competency that you want to develop or strengthen through this plan.
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#### Select a Reporting Period

In the **Reporting Period** field, select the reporting period for this development plan.
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#### Select Events (optional)

In the **Events** field, select from approved professional development events that you have registered for or plan to attend. These are events that have been approved through the proposal workflow.
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#### Add Other Activities (optional)

If you have development activities outside of PEARS events, click **Add Another Activity** to add them. For each activity, enter a **Name** that describes the activity. You can add multiple other activities as needed.
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#### Save the Development Plan

Click **Save** to create your development plan.

![Screenshot: The development plan form showing the Program Area dropdown, Core Competency dropdown, Reporting Period dropdown, Events multi-select field with approved events, Other Activities section with Add Another Activity button, and the Save button](/files/GaIUciGUWtiz8mdXF0LV)
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**TIP:** You can update your development plan at any time to add new opportunities or activities as they become available.
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**NOTE:** Only approved events appear in the **Opportunities** field. If you do not see an event you are looking for, confirm that the event proposal has been approved.
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