CPD Discrepancies (Formal v.s Informal)
- Jaspergen Dahilan
Users may encounter discrepancies between their total Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours and the "Earned (of target)" value on their CPD dashboard and export reports. This article explains why these differences occur and how to interpret the CPD tracking system correctly.
Understanding CPD Hour Allocation CPD tracking systems often classify earned hours into two categories:
CPD Type | Description |
|---|---|
Formal CPD | Structured learning activities that are accredited, assessed, or recognized by professional bodies. Examples include training courses, workshops, and seminars. |
Informal CPD | Self-directed or non-assessed learning, such as reading industry-related materials, attending informal networking events, or self-paced online courses. |
Many CPD schemes require a specific breakdown between Formal and Informal CPD hours. For example, a scheme may require:
24 hours of Formal CPD
11 hours of Informal CPD
Total required: 35 hours
Common CPD Tracking Issues
Why does the CPD dashboard show fewer earned hours than expected?
The "Earned (of target)" value only counts hours that meet the required formal-to-informal split.
If a user has completed more Informal CPD than required but not enough Formal CPD, excess informal hours do not contribute toward the required total.
Example:
A user completes 18 Formal CPD hours and 12.6 Informal CPD hours (total: 30.6 hours earned).
The required split is 24 Formal and 11 Informal.
The dashboard will show 29 Earned (of target) because only 18 Formal hours count, leaving the user 6 Formal CPD hours short.
Why does recalculating CPD hours change the totals?
If CPD content values are updated, the system will adjust the recorded points accordingly.
Running a recalculation ensures that earned hours reflect the latest content classifications.
If a discrepancy is noticed, recalculating can resolve inconsistencies by aligning points with current CPD criteria.
Steps to Resolve CPD Tracking Discrepancies
Check the CPD scheme requirements: Confirm the expected split of Formal vs. Informal hours.
Prioritize Formal CPD activities: If Formal CPD is lacking, complete additional structured courses or accredited training.
Recalculate CPD hours: If content updates may have affected earned points, running a recalculation ensures accuracy.