One of the key strengths of PRISA is the diversity of experience, roles and qualification of its practitioners.  PRogressions is a flexible framework to accommodate this diversity.  It is not prescriptive – you do not have to stick rigidly to every detail, but should rather use it as a tool to help you meet your own CPD needs.

The four-stage cycle takes you through all the necessary steps to check your current situation and identify you learning objectives, find and take part in suitable activities and reflect on your progress.  The framework links back to the basic questions:

• Where are you now?  (Review)
• Where are you going? (Planning)
• How will you get there? (Learning & Activities)
• What progress have you made? (Reflection)

PRogressions is a working document to help you use CPD to improve your performance in your current job and help your future development.  As CPD is part of a lifelong process of learning, we recommend you review your plan at least once a year.  However, it is beneficial to check your progress and update your targets more frequently if time permits.

The most important thing to remember is that this is your document so you can use it in any way that suits you best.  The forms for each of the stages have been specially designed so that you can print them out and file them separately if you want to.  Why not set up a personal development file?  This could include a reference section with the guidance parts of PRogressions and further sections for each of the four stages using photocopies of the forms as necessary.  You could then also use this to collect your own materials such as other information on CPD, and more personal documents such as notes from training courses/other learning activities, certificates of attendance, your CV and records for performance appraisals.  All these records make up your portfolio.