I received my assessment center report. What should I do now? Can I create a development plan using an individual SWOT analysis and the 70-20-10 learning model?

Recently, some of the frequently asked questions from our clients include how to read, evaluate, and make the most of the assessment center report, and how to create an efficient development plan/roadmap. When you look at the details of assessment reports, they provide detailed information about the competencies observed or not observed in the exercises attended, along with the individual's strengths and areas for improvement. In essence, you have a report card that reflects your performance in simulations of various real-life and work situations. Just as we create an action plan to make up for the subjects in which we lag behind (additional education, private lessons, etc.) when we receive a report card, we can also preserve and polish our strengths and take action on the competencies that need improvement through a structured plan regarding our own competencies.

So where should we start? By doing your individual SWOT analysis 😊 

Let's briefly recall what SWOT stands for: SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. A SWOT analysis helps you identify the strengths and weaknesses (S-W) of your organization and the broader opportunities and threats (O-T). It provides a comprehensive big picture of your situation and helps with strategic planning and decision-making. The SWOT method was initially developed for the business world and industry, but it is also widely used in public health, development, education, and even personal development studies. You can use a SWOT analysis in the following situations:

• To explore possible solutions to different problems and choose the most appropriate path. By identifying your success opportunities in the context of threats to success, you can clarify the direction and choices you will make.

• SWOT is an excellent way to organize the information you gather from studies or surveys. It is a practical method to see and analyze the big picture and situation.

• Preparing your personal SWOT will also help summarize your competencies and the development areas you need to focus on. Especially after receiving your assessment center report, learning about your strengths and weaknesses, doing your SWOT analysis, and periodically tracking it and making it a part of your learning & development plan is very beneficial.

I did my SWOT analysis, so what should be the next step?

How do I develop the areas of development, i.e., the W for weaknesses, and turn the situation into an opportunity for myself?

At this stage, the 70-20-10 learning methodology comes to the rescue. This methodology was developed in the 1980s by The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) based on research examining how managers and leaders learn. The model highlights three main sources of effective learning:

70% On-the-Job Experience: Learning from employees' experiences, daily tasks, and challenging assignments. This is considered the largest source of learning. Within this, the following assignments can be evaluated within the development plan:

Problem solving and taking action

Job rotations, experiencing new positions

Job shadowing and additional assignments

Projects and special assignments

Taking on new additional tasks and responsibilities

20% Social Learning: Learning through interactions with others, receiving feedback, coaching, and mentoring. For example:

Communities of practice

Subject matter networks

User generated content

Coaching

Mentoring

Regular feedback

10% Formal Education: Structured educational activities such as classroom training, courses, seminars, and training programs, which can be in the following forms:

Training

Books & articles

TEDx videos

E-learning platforms

Workshops

Webinars

This approach encourages the balanced use of various learning sources to support employee development.

In summary, we should evaluate the feedback, recommendations, and findings in the assessment center report as an opportunity for our development, create a structured education & development plan, make it an active part of our lives, and monitor the changes in ourselves.

If you need professional support in this matter, contact us and don't leave your career to chance 😊 

Author: Elif İlknur Tüzün