CIPD Profession Map: A concise guide to implementation and self-assessment

The business world is booming at a considerable rate. With the growth of industries and changes in the dynamics of the major professions, companies need the expertise of talented Human Resource (HR) managers. Because why not? Behind every successful company and its operations is a capable HR manager – the one who ensures the appointment of capable individuals in the company and then efficiency in the working of the entire workforce.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is an association dedicated to professional HR managers and L&D. Chances are, if you’re reading this blog, then you are one of its student members or chartered HR. In that case, the CIPD Profession Map is a key asset for you. The HR Profession is an ever-changing field, with no rigid standards. Therefore, it becomes ever so important for HR managers to continuously compare their skills to certain benchmarks. And a CIPD profession map does that for you, setting certain global standards for HRs to meet.

How to effectively use the Profession Map?

The CIPD first launched the profession map in 2013. With the changes in the ‘people’s profession’, it significantly altered the outlook of the map in 2018. New roles, skills, and organizational models need confident and decisive professionals. Let’s understand how you can use the CIPD Profession Map for self-assessment.

Step 1: Identifying the Level of your role

The new Professional Map has standards divided between four distinct levels. Each one of them is according to the individuals’ working goals and the impact they make on the people in the company. To understand which level aligns with your work, we need to look at the description of each one of them:

• Fundamental Level

Individuals at this level carry out day-to-day tasks that deliver short-term and immediate values to customers and employees of the organization. If you are on the fundamental level, you are expected to develop a good relationship with others. Act with integrity and raise concerns when you see people or processes not being treated fairly.

• Associate Level

At this level, individuals use their professional expertise to deliver short to medium-term value for organizations and their employees. This level has more complexity in the work than the previous one. As an associate, you work with stakeholders for operations, which support the success of the organization as a whole.

• Chartered Member Level

If you are on this level, you are expected to think at a strategic level and deliver work which affects the organization at a medium or long-term value. Before making a judgment or decision, you collect information from a wide range of sources and critically analyze it. You not only influence key stakeholders but a wider audience, professionals, and managers.

• Chartered Fellow Level

The work of the individuals at this level is entirely strategic to deliver operations with long-term value. You and the other individuals on this level work with role-model integrity. This also includes positively influencing behaviors and attitudes of the other professionals. In this way, you enhance the collective well-being and success of the organization and its people.

Step 2: Understand the standards of your level

Once you have identified your level, it’s time to dig deep into the map. Many CIPD writers have written in detail about the standards outlined in the profession map. However, we will only go through their overview. The Profession map consists of three standards, in which each of the core areas vary according to the level of your role. These are:

1. Core Knowledge

To succeed in your profession, you need a strong foundation for effective decision-making. And this ability comes from your impactful knowledge. The Profession Map defines six core areas of knowledge required to make a positive impact on your work and drive change:

• People practice.
• Culture and behavior.
• Business acumen.
• Analytics and creating value.
• Digital working.

2. Core Behaviors

If challenging situations arise, a particular mindset and course of action are required to effectively deal with the calamities. The core behaviors in the CIPD Profession Map precisely outline these ways of thinking and acting:

• Ethical practice.
• Professional courage and influence.
• Valuing people.
• Working inclusively.
• Passion for learning.
• Insights-focused.
• Situational decision-making.
• Commercial drive.

3. Specialist Knowledge

The Specialist knowledge in the map outlines the ways by which you can apply your knowledge and expertise to make a positive impact. These include:

• Employee experience.
• Employee relations.
• Diversity and inclusion.
• Learning and development.
• Organization development and design.
• People analytics.
• Resourcing.
• Reward.
• Talent management.

Step 3: Relating the key Standards with your Level

Once you have identified your level and understood the three standards of the Profession Map, it is important to see where you stand in your profession. Again, there are many CIPD assignment writing services, professionals and writers who have meticulously explained the ways to analyze the standards you meet. The CIPD itself has various resources to help you out. However, you should sit back and reflect on your own core knowledge, behavior, and specialist knowledge. Subsequently, you should compare these to the ones mentioned at your chosen level. Which standards do you fulfill and which not? What are the most crucial areas for your profession? In which areas do others find you competent and expert? Where do you have knowledge gaps and in which behaviors do you lack confidence? These insights will help you to construct your professional development plan.

In Conclusion

The new Profession Map has been described as ‘future-fit’. This is because it thoroughly reflects and anticipates the changing role of HR managers. The framework is designed to improve the working standards of these individuals, and eventually foster the sustainable success of their organizations as a whole. If you are a part of this profession, you are well aware of its shifting dynamics. It is significant to demonstrate the new capabilities, as outlined in the map to remain head-to-head with the ever-changing landscapes of your profession.