WHAT IS GPDR/R?

Executive skills (ES) are the foundational skills we use to plan, control our emotions, and monitor our progress. These skills play a significant role in our lives – whether in school, parenting, or work. Research suggests that we can increase the chances that we achieve our goals by tapping our stronger skills, reducing demands on our weaker skills, and building our skills through practice overtime. Goal, Plan, Do, Review/Revise (GPDR/R) is a practical research-based framework for setting and achieving goals that draws on insights about executive skills, as well as other aspects of brain & behavioral science. GPDR/R has been tested out in a variety of settings, across cultures and contexts. 

A FREE ONLINE COURSE

 A SELF-DIRECTED COURSE FOR FRONTLINE STAFF:
On this site, you can easily access GPDR/R: Putting the Science of Goal Achievement into Practice – a five-module online course, designed for frontline staff of human service programs.

At its core, GPDR/R is a simple framework backed by deep research on executive skills and behavioral science. This course delves into the foundational science, the shift in mindset required to apply the framework, and how to put it all into practice. The course is fully self-directed and can fit easily into a busy client-focused schedule.
GUIDANCE FOR MANAGERS & SUPERVISORS
The use of GPDR/R (and any research-informed approach) typically calls for programs to make changes that go beyond the staff – client interaction. On this site, you will find guidance for managers & supervisors to lay the foundation for implementing a goal-achievement approach in your human services program, and support your staff as they work through the self-guided GPDR/R Course.

If you’re interested in talking about introducing this approach in your program, contact Donna Pavetti.

A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO GPDR/R

The comprehensive guide to GPDR/R is divided into three parts:
  • Main Guide – This guide offers useful information about preparing for organizational change, describes GPDR/R in-depth, and explains the connection between executive skills and goal achievement. It also includes core materials to guide someone through GPDR/R.  
  • Supplementary Materials – These optional – and adaptable – materials can help staff to creatively and effectively support participants through GPDR/R.
  • Group Activities – This resource is designed specifically for staff who facilitate groups. It includes sample workshops to teach people about GPDR/R – as well as an example of how to model GPDR/R in the context of a resume-writing workshop. Finally, this resource includes wisdoms about effective learning design and facilitation.
We encourage program leaders to peruse the main guide before inviting staff to take the online course – so that you are familiar with the content they will be learning. After taking the course, frontline staff may be interested in going deeper by reading the main guide, checking out supplementary materials and/or reviewing group activities. 
This site is the product of a collaboration between Center on Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP) and Global Learning Partners (GLP), made possible through support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.