How do you track your skills development?

1 Set SMART goals

The first step to track your skills development is to set clear and specific goals that reflect your desired outcomes and align with your career aspirations. A useful framework for setting goals is the SMART criteria, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By using this framework, you can define what skills you want to develop, how you will measure your success, what resources and actions you need, why they are important for you, and when you want to achieve them.

2 Use a skills matrix

A skills matrix is a visual tool that helps you assess your current level of proficiency in various skills and identify the gaps and areas for improvement. You can create your own skills matrix by listing the skills that are relevant for your role, industry, or career path on one axis, and rating yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 on the other axis, based on your confidence, experience, or performance. You can also use a skills matrix to compare yourself with the expected or desired standards, such as job descriptions, competencies frameworks, or best practices.

3 Keep a learning portfolio

A learning portfolio is a collection of evidence that demonstrates your skills development and achievements over time. It can include various types of artifacts, such as certificates, badges, projects, feedback, testimonials, reflections, or self-assessments. A learning portfolio can help you track your learning journey, showcase your accomplishments, and communicate your value to potential employers, clients, or mentors. You can use online platforms, such as LinkedIn, ePortfolio, or WordPress, to create and maintain your learning portfolio.

4 Seek feedback

Feedback is a valuable source of information that can help you track your skills development and identify your strengths and weaknesses. You can seek feedback from different sources, such as your manager, colleagues, peers, mentors, coaches, or clients, depending on the context and purpose of your skills development. You can ask for feedback in various ways, such as surveys, interviews, reviews, or ratings. You should also be open to receiving constructive feedback and use it to improve your skills and performance.

5 Review and reflect

The final step to track your skills development is to review and reflect on your progress and outcomes regularly. You can use various methods, such as journals, logs, diaries, or reports, to document and analyze your learning experiences, achievements, challenges, and insights. You should also compare your results with your goals and evaluate whether you have met or exceeded them, or if you need to adjust them. Reviewing and reflecting can help you celebrate your successes, learn from your mistakes, and plan your next steps for your skills development.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?