It is intended to inform professional learning, to guide self-reflection, self-improvement and development, and to guide the management of self and others. The development of the standard lasted from early 2010 to mid-2011 and involved research, drafting, critical review, feedback and testing through a series of pilot studies, guided and supported by an external expert steering group. The group included expert representatives from state and territory government employers, the catholic and independent school sectors, national professional associations and education boards, leadership institutes and Commonwealth and national school leadership experts.