Stepping into a new role can be daunting, but if you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and how you’ll achieve it, you can quickly turn uncertainty into momentum. In this post, we explore 30-60-90 day plans. Discover why they’re useful and what to include in yours.
A 30-60-90 day plan is a structured framework that outlines goals and priorities for the first three months in a new role. This can be used to break down an employee’s onboarding journey into manageable phases.
Although every document is different, most 30-60-90 day plans include a learning/training phase, a period of active contribution, and a final stretch focused on ownership, impact, and long-term growth.
In a UK survey conducted by Cognexo, 54% of staff surveyed said they were unhappy with their company’s onboarding process. Quite often, this dissatisfaction stems from poor structure, a lack of communication, and unclear expectations. With a three-month plan, you can avoid these issues by having everything mapped out clearly. This ensures there’s no ambiguity or confusion about what needs to happen and when.
30-60-90 day plans are mostly used during onboarding for new employees or when a staff member is transitioning into a more senior position.
Sometimes, the plan will be created during the first few days of a new job. Other times, it may be something that crops up as an interview requirement or that you choose to include as a means to show competence and initiative. It may even be the deciding factor that lands you the role!
What you include in your 30-60-90 day plan will depend on the type of role you have and the kind of environment you work in, but in most workplaces, it can be helpful to add in the following:
When setting goals, rather than making them up off the top of your head or ticking boxes for the sake of it, try to make them strategic. You might want to make use of SMART goals, create a visual plan using process mapping, or start with a prioritisation matrix to ensure tasks are ordered effectively. The more carefully you consider the goals included in your plan, the more achievable they will become.
Eager to create your own 30-60-90 day plan? Follow this simple step by step:
Step 1: Research First
Before starting, take time to understand your role, company culture, and who you’ll be working with. Review your job description and learn about key team members.
Step 2: Plan Your First 30 Days
Focus on learning. Complete your onboarding, meet your team, and master the basic tools and processes. This is your time to observe and ask questions.
Step 3: Plan Days 31–60
Start contributing. Take on real projects, apply what you’ve learnt, and build relationships with colleagues. Seek feedback regularly to stay on track.
Step 4: Plan Days 61–90
Take ownership. Start leading projects independently, proposing improvements, and demonstrating the value you bring to the team. Create goals for your next quarter.
Step 5: Set Clear Goals
For each 30-day period, define what success looks like. Make your goals specific, measurable, and realistic. Include deadlines and identify who will give you feedback.
Step 6: Track Your Progress
Review your progress weekly and get formal feedback at the end of each 30-day period. Be ready to adjust your plan based on what you learn.
Step 7: Share and Execute
Present your entire plan to your manager to ensure everything is aligned with wider company/department goals. Focus on building relationships alongside completing tasks, and don’t forget to celebrate your wins along the way.
If you find it easier to plan using templates, why not use one of the many free resources available online? There’s no set way to structure a 3-month plan, so you can pick one that best suits your role and your needs. Here are some we’d recommend:
HubSpot’s 30-60-90 Day Plan Template is professionally designed and highly structured, with editable slides and worksheets tailored for both employees and managers. It’s ideal for marketing, sales, or customer success professionals who want to present their plan during onboarding or interviews.
Miro’s Visual 30-60-90 Day Plan Board uses a collaborative whiteboard format to map out goals visually, making it easy to adjust and share with teams. It’s great for remote workers, project managers, or anyone who prefers visual planning and real-time collaboration.
Indeed’s Simple 30-60-90 Day Plan Template is straightforward and text-based, focusing on clarity and ease of use, with examples for different job levels. It’s perfect for job seekers preparing for interviews or new hires in generalist roles who want a clean, no-frills structure.
Smartsheet’s Interactive 30-60-90 Day Plan is a dynamic spreadsheet offered alongside their other free onboarding documents. This includes built-in tracking, timelines, and progress indicators. It’s best suited for operations, HR, or analysts who want to monitor progress and performance metrics closely.
Notion’s Customisable 30-60-90 Day Plan Template is fully customisable and integrated with task lists, calendars, and notes, all in one workspace. It’s ideal for tech-savvy professionals, startup employees, or anyone who wants to build a living document they can update on the go.
Whether you’re a visual thinker, a spreadsheet lover, or someone who thrives on simplicity, each of these templates offers a different lens through which to plan your first 90 days. Choose the one that fits your style and role, and you’ll be off to a confident start.
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