Planning, Development & Review (PDR)
Planning, Development and Review provides a framework for staff to set performance objectives which are meaningful in their current role, contribute to career goals, and align to the University's strategic direction. PDR should also encompass development planning that will assist in achieving these objectives, and allow for a review of performance outcomes between staff and people leaders.
All staff members on continuing or fixed term contracts of greater than 12 months are expected to participate in PDR. There should be three PDR meetings each year which are documented after each meeting. The focus of PDR is on engagement in honest and open conversations.
If you are yet to set your team’s objectives, or are looking to re-set those originally identified to make them more meaningful in the current circumstances, this short video will provide direction and tips to design effective objectives.
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PDR Cycle
PDR Stages Conversation Outline Staff Services Online (SSO) Confirmation Deadline For academic staff, the IAP is used to support PDR conversations and is available in February Final Review for 2019 - Review achievement of work & development objectives against measures
- Two-way feedback
- Complete PDR Conversation Record
7 February 2020
(when not combined with objective setting)
Objective Setting - Establish and agree SMART work objectives
- Agree development objectives
- Two-way feedback
- Complete PDR Conversation Record
9 April 2020
For academic staff, the IAP is used to support PDR conversations and is available in July Mid Term Review - Review progress against work and development objectives
- Identify any blockages/issues
- Two-way feedback
- Supervisor provides coaching and guidance
- Complete PDR Conversation Record
14 August 2020*
*SSO confirmation optional
Final Review for 2020 - Review achievement of work and development objectives against measures
- Two-way feedback
- Complete PDR Conversation Record
5 February 2021 for current year
Parts of the University undertake operational and business planning at different times of the year. If it is necessary for individual PDR planning to take place at an alternative time, please consult with your Executive Dean/Director.
To ensure enough time for reviewing and confirming the Conversation Records form, it is recommended that formal PDR conversations take place two weeks prior to the final Staff Services Online (SSO) confirmation deadline (refer table).
It is an option to use the final review meeting to also set objectives for the next year, however it must be recorded in Staff Services Online (SSO) as 2 separate meetings, an Objective Setting meeting and a Final Review meeting.
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Recording PDR
PDR Form
Use the relevant PDR Conversation Record to document your PDR conversations:
- PDR Conversation Record – Academic Staff (Word /Pdf )
- PDR Conversation Record – Professional Staff (Word /Pdf )
Guide to the PDR Conversation Record
This guide will assist you in completing to Conversation Record:
Using SSO to record your participation in PDR
Confirm your completion of PDR through Staff Services Online as per the timeline above.
- Quick reference guide - Uploading your PDR to SSO
- Quick reference guide - Changing PDR Supervisor in SSO
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Support Resources
PDR Conversation Resources
For Staff
For People Leaders
Conversation
Development
Objective Setting
Conversation
- Defusing tense situations: the HEAT Process
- Giving feedback: the SBI format
- Preparing for Review Conversation
- Preparing for the Review Conversation Checklist
- Building REAL Rapport
- Coaching Tools
Development
Objective Setting
These support resources have been designed and developed by Veronica Lee of HRM Matters and Human Capital International (as indicated). Numerous sources were utilised in the research and development. The intellectual property of authors has been respected by fully researching and referencing the original source where it has been available. There materials are provided solely for the use of employees while employed by the University of Adelaide and have been provided with the permission of HRM Matters and HCI.
Academic Staff
Both the Adelaide Academic Role Statements and Individual Academic Profiles (IAPs) are used as inputs to PDR. The following diagram shows how they fit with PDR (or view the pdf):
PDR Guide
The PDR Guide sets out the responsibilities and detailed guidance for staff and supervisors in each part of PDR.
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Training
Learning and Development offers online PDR training modules for staff and supervisors throughout the year that covers:
- An Introductory Video by our Provost, Professor Mike Brooks
- Three online modules that cover the benefits of PDR, PDR in Practice and Preparing for Objective Setting
For further information about access to the online modules please visit: PDR Learning Program
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Policy and Procedure
PDR Forms, Templates, Information Sheets, Policies and Procedures can be found in the Staff Planning, Development & Review (PDR) Handbook Chapter.