Key takeaways
The 9 box grid is part of Monday SimonManager Development Program: 👉 Module 5:Performance management for managers
What is the 9 box Matrix
The 9 Box Grid, also known as the 9 Box Model or 9 Box Matrix, is a popular tool used in human resources and organizational development for assessing and planning the development of employees, particularly in the context of leadership development. This tool helps organizations identify potential leaders and determine the best strategies for their growth and development. I use it in mymanager development programto highlight how talents can be categorized. If you are a manager, you do not need to proactively use this tool, but understand how talents can be categorized to focus development.
The 9 Box Grid is a three-by-three matrix that categorizes employees based on two key dimensions: performance and potential. Each axis is divided into three levels, resulting in nine boxes within the grid. Here's a breakdown of the two dimensions:
Here are the main employee profiles that usually come out of the 9 box grid:
The results usually come from the assessment ofKPIs and OKRs, combined with a potential assessment, often conducted using tools such as360 assessments.
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Interpretation of Each Box
Each box in the 9 Box Grid represents a different combination of performance and potential, and each has implications for development and career planning:
Using the 9 Box Grid for Leadership Development
The 9 Box Grid is a valuable tool for leadership development in several ways:
⁃ Talent Identification The grid helps organizations identify high-potential employees who can be developed into future leaders. By placing employees in the appropriate boxes, HR professionals and managers can easily see where the organization's talent lies.
⁃ Development Planning Once employees are categorized, specific development plans can be created. For example, employees in Box 3 (High Potential, High Performance) might be enrolled in leadership training programs, while those in Box 1 (High Potential, Low Performance) might need targeted performance improvement plans.
⁃ Succession Planning The 9 Box Grid is instrumental in succession planning. By identifying employees with high potential and performance, organizations can create a pipeline of future leaders to fill key roles as they become available. ⁃ Career Pathing The grid can also help in career pathing, showing employees potential career trajectories within the organization. This can increase employee engagement and retention by providing a clear path forward.
If you require additional tools to support your manager duties in your company, do not hesitate to review mymanager tools.
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This article is part of our performance management resources.
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