> 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

Learn how to create a professional development plan to track your goals and activities in PEARS.

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 in the top navigation bar and click **Professional Development**.
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#### Click Add

On the **Plans** tab, click the **Add** button to open the development plan form.

![Screenshot: The Professional Development page showing the Plans tab with the Add button highlighted](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5ebaebd4d818aea880948c0cabb7ef8448d6106d%2Fpd-add-development-plan-button.png?alt=media)
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#### Select a Reporting Period

In the **Reporting period** field, select the reporting period for this development plan. Only current and future reporting periods that you do not already have a plan for are listed.
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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. The options depend on the reporting period you selected.
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#### Select Core Competency

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

In the **Events** field, select the events for this plan. The field lists the approved events you have turned on in the **Event Catalog** for the selected reporting period, and all of them are selected by default. To add an event to this list, see [Add an Event to a Development Plan](/plan/professional-development/add-an-event-to-a-plan.md).
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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 Reporting period, Program area, Core competency to focus on this year, and Events fields, and the Other Activities section with the Add Another Activity button](https://2560412328-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Ff0820LrBGQ9ZA8SC4BR1%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-67a6f2a145b6b940f6eceb891a48ecc5e428bc23%2Fpd-development-plan-form.png?alt=media)
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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 that you have turned on in the **Event Catalog** appear in the **Events** field. If you do not see an event you are looking for, confirm that the event proposal has been approved and that the event is turned on in the **Event Catalog**.
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