If you’ve just landed a new job, it’s time to figure out what you would like to achieve with this new opportunity. A new job means you are expected to achieve a specific set of goals during a set period of time, and one of the best ways to determine these goals is by creating a 30-60-90 day plan.
The 30-60-90 plan is a great way to get a head-start at any job, as it helps you determine and prioritize what needs to be done so you can adjust to your new position as effectively as possible and ultimately excel.
This plan might seem complicated to you, so keep reading to get a better understanding of what it consists of and how you can create one in 2023!
Key Takeaways
- A 30-60-90 plan helps you create a list of short- and long-term goals that you want to achieve in your new job.
- Utilize SMART goals to divide your objectives, get a better grasp of your new responsibilities, and start new projects easier.
- After making your 30-60-90 plan, ask your supervisor to have a look at it. This way you’ll know whether your goals align with the company’s expectations.
What is a 30-60-90 Plan?
A 30-60-90 plan is essentially a list of goals that new employees are expected to achieve throughout their first 30, 60, and 90 days on the job. It can help boost job performance in a new position since it creates goals that are more manageable for new-comers, and makes the transition into a new position a bit smoother.
This plan is usually created:
- At the end of your interviewing process
- In the first week of your new job
The main focus of the 30-60-90 plan should be designing a successful outcome for the company. It goes without saying, but in addition to your own short-term and long-term goals, it’s also important to work towards company-focused goals as well.
Although most industries can benefit from this, a good 30 60 90 plan for managers and sales agents can go a really long way in boosting their performance. That is because these types of positions require more independence in terms of decision-making and work style, so it’s important to match the goals with the company’s mission.
When Should You Create a 30-60-90 Plan?
The best uses for a 30-60-90 plan are:
- When you get a new job. As previously mentioned, the 30-60-90 plan is a great way for you to jumpstart the learning process for your new job before you start working.
- When you’re working on a project. This plan can help you create a project template which divides the projects into smaller and more manageable tasks.
- After a performance review. A 30-60-90 plan can be used after you receive a performance review. You can take the feedback and create the plan accordingly.
Benefits of Creating a 30-60-90 Plan
Here are some benefits of creating a 30-60-90 plan:
- Helps you set the right goals. Through setting the goals that align with the company expectations, you’ll be more likely to excel at the job.
- Creates a specific focal point. Having a focus for your first 90 days on the job, helps you allocate your resources better and keep track of your daily achievements.
- Increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. If you follow through with your 30-60-90 plan, your employer will notice that you’re goal-oriented and are able to self-manage. This shows them that you’re ready to grow further.
How to Write a 30-60-90 Plan
The main thing that a 30-60-90 plan consists of are goals. And the best kind of goals for this job are SMART goals. The letters in SMART stand for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
With that out of the way, follow these steps to write a great 30-60-90 plan:
#1. Identify Focus
A proper action-focused plan can’t exist without a clear-cut focal point. A good way to start is by establishing what type of goals you want to achieve within each time-frame.
For example, if you’re an entrepreneur, for the first 30 days, you can focus on learning something new. For the second part, you can work on optimizing your operation. In the last 30 days, you can do some exercises to hone your leadership skills.
On the other hand, if you’re a new employee, try to focus your 30-60-90 plan on learning the ins and outs of the job and exploring how you can contribute to the company.
#2. Determine Priorities
The next step is to determine what you want to prioritize. Essentially, priorities need to be broader than your set goals but more granular than your focus. During this 30-60-90 day period, you need to identify your top priorities. These priorities can include wanting to learn more about how the company operates or hone a certain set of skills for your position.
The only thing that matters here is having a list of priorities to guide you.
#3. Create Relevant Objectives
One metastudy has shown that around 90% of participants were more likely to reach their goals if they were challenging and relevant. That’s why creating such objectives is an important aspect of the 30-60-90 plan.
Staying focused and being goal-oriented should be your main focus, to benefit both you and your employer while still staying motivated to finish the job.
#4. Define Measurements
Lastly, for every goal you’ve achieved during the 30-60-90 plan, choose one metric to measure the progress. This way, it’s easier for you to see how you’re doing along the way.
Studies have also confirmed that measuring your progress frequently leads to more successful outcomes.
You can also ask your manager or supervisor to institute a weekly or monthly meeting to check on how you’re doing and whether there’s something that needs to be improved. By doing this, you’ll show that you’re ready to take initiative and are interested in creating a closer relationship with colleagues.
As an additional metric, you can also ask yourself certain questions. For example, you can ask, “How do I define success, and what performance indicators should I measure?”
30-60-90 Plan Example
To help you come up with some 30-60-90 plan ideas for yourself, here’s a template that you can follow:
Plan dedicated to: Your Name
Date: September 12th, 2022
Company goal: Help clients find the right products for their specific needs.
Learning goals:
- 30 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
- 60 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
- 90 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
Applying the knowledge:
- 30 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
- 60 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
- 90 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
Performance goals:
- 30 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
- 60 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
- 90 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
Performance-based actions:
- 30 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
- 60 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
- 90 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
Personal goals:
- 30 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
- 60 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
- 90 days
- 1st Goal
- 2nd Goal
- 3rd Goal
Actions to achieve personal goals:
- 30 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
- 60 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
- 90 days
- 1st Action
- 2nd Action
- 3rd Action
Here’s how this 30 60 90 plan template can look when filled out:
Learning goals:
- 30 days
- Understand the company’s mission
- Keep up a daily learning schedule
- Track progress daily
- 60 days
- Check the POS system of the company
- Find out more about the additional duties
- 90 days
- Present my POS utilization idea
Applying the knowledge:
- 30 days
- Attend all meetings and keep notes
- Keep a list of daily activities
- Keep a list of expectations
- 60 days
- Ask a senior representative for a meeting to discuss the POS system
- Study the company’s digital systems
- 90 days
- Create a POS strategy
Performance goals:
- First 30 days
- Hold a meeting with a client
- Answer at least 50 calls
- 60 days
- Get a new client
- Hold meetings with 5 more clients
- 90 days
- Close one sale by myself
Performance-based actions:
- First 30 days
- Research the customer’s company
- Have a meeting to discuss the customer’s needs
- 60 days
- Research some potential clients
- Meet with 10 clients
- Follow-up with previously-contacted clients
- 90 days
- Establish company-client relationship
- Develop a new marketing strategy
Personal goals:
- First 30 days
- Build a meaningful relationship with at least two coworkers
- Go to lunch with coworkers to learn more about company
- 60 days
- Build a good rapport with at least one supervisor
- 90 days
- Create a casual meeting to catch up with coworkers
Actions to achieve personal goals:
- 30 days
- Small meet and greet with all coworkers
- Create an after work call to discuss specific matters with coworkers
- 60 days
- Ask for a meeting with a manager or supervisor
- 90 days
- Show leadership skills by working on team related projects
6 Tips For Creating a 30-60-90 Plan
Use these tips to create the best possible 30-60-90 plan:
- Be specific. The one thing that your plan needs is for it to be as simple and specific as possible so you can internalize it as fast and easy as possible. Keep the 30-60-90 plan clean and concise so you’ll understand what you wrote even if you look at it years later.
- Use SMART goals. As previously mentioned, your goals need to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound, meaning they need to be SMART. Check whether your goals fit these criteria before adding them to your 30-60-90 plan.
- Remember you’re there to grow. Sometimes your goals will need to be adjusted depending on what the employer asks of you. It’s important to be prepared in case that happens and take it as a learning opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge.
- Ask questions. Whether you’re still in the interviewing phase or you’ve just started a new job, it’s always best to ask questions. Ask the managers, supervisors or even colleagues about the company and expectations for your job title. This will make choosing priorities for your plan way easier.
- Keep the plan short. Keep your plan around one to two pages maximum. It’s important that it’s not cluttered and too detailed. Instead focus on making the plan easy to skim through.
