• The successful portfolio is a developmental tool that builds a collection of evidence of experience, assessments of competence, self-reflection and personal development planning over time.

• Trainees should ‘own’ the portfolio by managing their own learning, using the portfolio as an iterative tool.

• Portfolio evidence of competence must demonstrate trainees’ performance in reality rather than their factual knowledge or abilities in controlled examinations.

• Evidence of achievement of competencies occurs by combining different forms of evidence and assessments in various contexts and with multiple assessors.

• The more often the portfolio is used, the better, using formal points of appraisal as landmarks.

• True evidence in the portfolio is clear, transparent and demonstrable proof of competence.

• The evidence should not be overstretched.

• Attending a training course is not in itself evidence of competence.

• The portfolio supports the General Medical Council (GMC) revalidation process (General Medical Council, 2013).

• Organisation and reference to clearly indexed, triangulated evidence at the start of the portfolio sets the tone.

• Make it user-friendly; summarise evidence and clearly state the competency, giving clear and specific locations of evidence.

• How much is enough evidence? Two sources at least and three where possible.

• Plan your educational objectives early with reference to competencies.

• Remember that ‘if it is not documented, it did not happen’.

• Do not breach confidentiality within the portfolio. Never use patientidentifiable material. If letters about patients are included, remove all identifiers.

• Do not leave portions of the curriculum uncovered, especially if they are hard to evidence. Consider mapping the gaps.

• The need to evidence a particular competence should drive which WPBA is chosen, not the other way round. Workplace-based assessment should occur regularly throughout a period in training. Do an Assessment of Clinical Expertise (ACE) early on as a benchmark.

• Present WPBAs in a logical sequence with a clear description of the experience and associated competencies.

• Link WPBA to reflective practice and show how this informs your professional development.

• Capitalise on opportunities in routine work – if you are discussing a case as a part of daily work, use it as a case-based discussion (CbD) WPBA.