We launched the Profession Map in November 2018, following three years of research and consultation with over 19,000 people. With input from members, partners, employers and academics, it’s a practical, evidence-based benchmark for all people professionals, whatever your role, level, specialism or industry.

Solid in its purpose and values, but designed to evolve, we review the Profession Map twice a year to keep our standards relevant and future-fit. We update our standards in response to new priorities, opportunities, specialisms and roles. All our changes are evidence-based, drawing on our research and feedback from the profession and our expert partners.

Latest review

In the 2024 review cycle we have fully revised the specialist knowledge areas of Resourcing, Reward and Talent management.

 

Resourcing standards

We updated this area to better reflect the work that resourcing professionals do. We made changes to all standards in this area, except the standard on worker types. We added two new standards and removed two standards. Changes included:

  • Making the links with strategic workforce planning clearer.
  • Expanding the knowledge needed around branding and market position, as well as attraction and sourcing.
  • Broadening the standard around assessment approaches to include assessment and selection, and to set out what they should achieve.
  • Adding a new standard on AI in recruitment.
  • Adding a new standard on candidate experience.
  • Broadening the standard on employability programmes to encompass a variety of programmes, not just those linked with education providers.

We removed the standard on using social media in recruitment, as this is now an established part of attracting and sourcing candidates.

We also removed the standard on recruitment approaches, which focused on the response of candidates to recruitment methodologies. This is now captured in the new standard of candidate experience.

 

Reward standards

We reviewed and updated this area to better reflect the work that reward professionals do.  We made changes to all standards in this area, except the standard on international reward, and we included two new standards. Changes included:

  • Broadening reward approaches to include recognition and to set out what these approaches should achieve.
  • Revising the standards on salary benchmarking and remuneration committees to reflect the knowledge that reward professionals need at each level.
  • Clarifying that reward, recognition, engagement, culture and performance can impact each other.
  • Strengthening the focus on data and metrics in reward data and reporting.
  • Adding a new standard on job evaluation.
  • Adding a new standard on pay negotiations.

 

Talent management standards

We updated this area to better reflect the work that talent management professionals do. We made changes to all standards except the standard on global talent. We included one new standard and removed one standard. Changes included:

  • Strengthening the focus on the use of data and insights to identify, predict and monitor talent.
  • Refocusing the standard on partner organisations to include all external talent pipelines.
  • Clarifying the links between talent management and workforce planning.
  • Emphasising the need to plan for critical roles, as well as broader succession planning.
  • Adding a new standard on career pathways.

We removed the standard on self-managed talent as this no longer reflected what talent professionals are working on. Part of this standard has formed the basis of the new standard on career pathways.


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Twice a year we review current research, trends and challenges – within our profession and beyond. We consult with key stakeholders and experts. And we validate review findings across our profession. This evidence-based approach gives you confidence that the Profession Map is relevant to your role now and positioned for emerging priorities and opportunities.

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