Employee development plan is a roadmap for professional growth as it lays out the specific steps an employee should take to acquire new skills, gain valuable experience, or prepare for career advancements, whether that's a lateral move or a promotion. Think of it as breaking down ambitious long-term goals into manageable, actionable steps. While employee development plans can certainly be career-growth-focused, they can also center on honing skills for an employee's current role or even supporting personal interests and passions.