Industry Research Checklist for Higher Education Upskilling Product Development - Professional Development (PD) Version

This template is essential for institutions seeking to offer high-impact, market-responsive professional development that fosters measurable career growth and closes workforce skill gaps.

The process ensures offerings are relevant, up-to-date, and valued by employers in a rapidly evolving labor market. Key Features - Detailed prompts for defining industry, market, geographic scope, and job roles targeted by each product - Guidance to research current industry trends, pain points, and workforce needs using trusted analytics and industry sources - Structured tables for validating required skills, competencies, certifications, and relevant continuing education requirements (CEUs) - Competitor benchmarking tools to analyze direct and indirect alternatives, value propositions, pricing, and delivery modalities - Built-in best practices for ongoing industry partnership engagement and continuous product improvement Benefits for Institutions Using this checklist, education leaders can: - Confidently create professional development programs that match real job and skill requirements demanded by today’s employers - Increase product attractiveness and value for learners seeking up-to-date knowledge and career advancement - Avoid market missteps such as misaligned pricing, outdated content, and poor market fit by benchmarking with high-credibility competitors - Regularly refresh curriculum, stay aligned to evolving skills, and grow enrollment by acting on employer and learner feedback