A clear purpose
The assignment needs a clear connection to the role, the situation and what the organisation wants to see work better. The sponsor should understand why the development is being undertaken and what it is intended to contribute.
For clients
Development needs to be relevant both to the individual and to the organisation they are part of.
When an organisation invests in professional development, the purpose needs to be clear, responsibilities understood and follow-up relevant, while the participant is given the trust required for genuine development.
The commissioning perspective
Three things need to be clear.
UpMe should be easy to understand as a client without reducing the development work to reporting or a standardised training intervention.
A protected space for development
The participant needs to be able to work openly with difficult questions, behaviours and choices. The individual development dialogue is therefore kept confidential within clearly agreed boundaries.
Relevant visibility
The sponsor should be able to see whether the assignment is moving in the right direction. UpMe therefore uses agreed follow-up at a level relevant to the purpose, without turning the content of development conversations into reporting material.
Roles and responsibilities
Different responsibilities need to remain distinct.
A professional development assignment works best when the sponsor, UpMe and the participant understand the responsibilities they do and do not have.
Client / sponsor
Sets purpose and framework
Describes the organisational need, relevant expectations and the conditions the development work needs to take into account.
UpMe
Leads the development process
Translates the agreed framework into a professional approach, maintains quality and direction, and adapts the work as the situation develops.
Participant
Owns their progress
Takes active responsibility for translating new perspectives, capabilities and behaviours into the actual role and day-to-day work.
Visibility and confidentiality
Trust and sponsor visibility need to coexist.
UpMe distinguishes between what the sponsor needs to know in order to follow the assignment and what needs to remain within the individual development relationship.
The sponsor receives relevant visibility
Purpose, agreed assignment-level goals, progress and material changes in the conditions can be followed at a level determined before the work begins.
The development dialogue is confidential
Personal reflections, reasoning and the content of individual development conversations are not shared further unless explicitly agreed otherwise or required by law.
The sponsor should receive enough visibility to take responsibility for the assignment, while the participant’s individual development dialogue remains confidential.
From need to assignment
You do not need to design the solution before contacting us.
A sponsor needs to be able to describe the situation, why it matters and what they would like to strengthen or change. From there, UpMe takes responsibility for proposing a relevant approach.
This means you do not need to choose a programme, method, tool or measurement model in advance. Together with you, UpMe determines the level of structure and follow-up that is justified for the assignment.
A clear situation
What makes the development need relevant now?
A realistic ambition
What development would create the greatest value?
The right conditions
Are there sufficient authority, time and support for the development to be put into practice?
First step
Would you like to discuss a development need?
Briefly describe the situation and what you would like to strengthen or change. You do not need to have chosen a programme or approach before we begin.