While starting a new job is exciting, the process may also feel overwhelming, and there are a variety of tools and strategies you can use to support yourself through this transition. Creating a goal-driven plan, such as a 30-60-90 day plan, can help you adjust to your new position quickly and effectively. Understanding how to utilize a 30-60-90-day plan can help you have a successful start with your new position. In this article, we define what 30-60-90 day plans are, describe how to create them, provide a template and example and list useful tips you can use as a guide. Key takeaways:

• A 30-60-90 day plan is meant to establish guidelines for you to achieve short- and long-term goals in a new job.
• Use SMART goals to map out how you’ll meet new co-workers, learn your new role and organization and start key projects.
• Connect with your supervisor to go over the plan they propose to provide your input and ensure you’re working on the right things.

What is a 30-60-90 day plan?

A 30-60-90 day plan is a document used to set goals and strategize your first three months in a new job. 30-60-90 day plans help maximize work output in the first 90 days in a new position by creating specific, manageable goals tied to the company’s mission and the role’s duties and expectations. Companies typically create 30-60-90-day plans during the final stages of the interview process or in the first week of the new job. The central tenant of the 30-60-90 day plan should be an organizational definition of success. All employees should be working toward the same company-driven goals, so the plan should align with overall company success. All industries and job roles can benefit from a 30-60-90 day plan, and HR departments in a wide range of fields use them for employees of all levels. It’s important to align 30-60-90 goals with the mission of the company to ensure that all new employees are contributing to the success of the organization.

The benefits and uses of a 30-60-90 day plan

There are many benefits and uses for a 30-60-90 day plan including the following:

Benefits

Here are some of the benefits of implementing a 30-60-90 day plan:

• Focus: Creating a clear focus for your first 90 days on the job ensures that your daily actions will be productive.
• Goal-setting: The goals you set in your 30-60-90 day plan will help you integrate quickly and smoothly into the organization.
• Success: Your supervisors will see that you are capable of self-management and achieving goals. This indicates that you are an employee worthy of development.

Uses

Here are some common uses for a 30-60-90 day plan:

• New job: 30-60-90 day plans are a great way to use your time productively to learn about your new job and begin working. These plans are most often associated with beginning a new job.
• Project: 30-60-90 day plans can help create an actionable project template. They are useful in dividing a project into manageable tasks.
• Performance review: Employers can implement 30-60-90 day plans following a performance review. Take the constructive feedback you received and create a 30-60-90 day plan to meet your end goal.

How to create a 30-60-90 day plan

Managers typically create 30-60-90 day plans and rely on the input of employees to ensure they’re clear and effective. Understanding how to create one can help you ensure your new employer develops and implements the plan correctly. Here’s a list of steps you and your supervisor may follow to create a 30-60-90 day plan:

1. Draft a template

Create or find a pre-made template to manage your 30-60-90 day plan. Your template should have spaces for your goals for 30, 60 and 90 days, spaces for different types of goals and spaces for actions to achieve your goals.

2. Define goals

Determine your goals for your new position. These should be SMART goals that are either learning goals, performance goals or personal goals. Make a general list of goals and sort them into the appropriate category on your template.

3. Identify 30-day targets

Look at your list of learning, personal and performance goals. Identify any knowledge or learning-based goals. Dedicate the first 30 days on the job to learning about the company and your specific role.

4. Identify 60-day targets

Identify goals related to contribution. These goals rely on implementing the knowledge gained during the first 30 days. The second 30-day period of work focuses on contributing to the company’s mission.

5. Identify 90-day targets

At the 90-day point, it’s important for employees to focus their actions and goals on enhancing their contributions. The final 30 days typically focus on using the knowledge and experience gained in the first 60 days to appropriately and effectively contribute to a team.

6. Create action items

Look at your goals by type and date. Create a list of action items that can be used to assess whether you have met your goals. It’s important for these objectives to be measurable and achievable.

Template

Here is a template for a 30-60-90 day plan using learning goals and actions, performance goals and actions and personal goals and actions:

30-60-90 Day Plan Template