9-Box Grid
Tags: hr, human, professional, beginners
Published: 2024-01-29 17:01:38

## What is 9-Box Grid?

9-Box Grid is defined as a popular strategic framework for talent management that is used to evaluate and grow an organization's personnel. It is a straightforward yet useful tool that aids in spotting high-potential workers, organizing the succession of leadership, and guaranteeing that the company’s talent is being developed and used to its fullest potential. Organizations like TechNova utilize the 9-Box Grid, a potent tool, to evaluate and prepare for staff growth and succession. Employees are assessed using this matrix according to two criteria, their present performance and their potential going forward.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/buf07iimzg7ytt68jjjf.png)

## Why the 9-Box Grid?
The 9-Box Grid is a strategically useful tool. Through the integration of present performance and future potential, it serves as a tool for leader identification as well as succession planning, resource allocation optimization, and talent trajectory shaping within an organization. Before getting into the specifics, it is critical to comprehend why the 9-Box Grid is important. It helps you make well-informed decisions about succession planning by giving you a visual picture of the talent landscape inside your company. It turns into an effective instrument for identifying and developing talent as it assesses both present performance and potential for the future. The 9-Box Grid holds significance since,

It offers a visual depiction of an employee’s performance in comparison to their potential.
Helps in locating areas that require improvement and talent gaps.
Improves the decision-making process for role changes and promotions.
Promotes an environment that is always growing and improving.
The 9-Box Grid Explained
9-Box Grid defines nine different combinations out of the three performance levels (Low, Medium, High) and three potential levels (Low, Medium, High) on the grid. Each box denotes the following.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6sydafsnda3axg3s7qz2.png)

**Low-Low:** Limited potential and performance; may need support or reevaluation.
**Low-Medium:** Good performance but limited potential; valuable for the current role.
**Low-High:** High potential but not yet performing; a candidate for development.
**Medium-Low:** Steady performer but with limited growth potential.
**Medium-Medium:** Solid performer with some potential; can be developed further.
**Medium-High:** Strong performer with high potential; possible future leader.
**High-Low:** Excellent performance but may have reached a potential peak.
**High-Medium:** High performer with potential for further growth.
**High-High:** Top performer with significant potential; prime candidate for leadership.

**Performance:** An employee’s performance is evaluated according to how successfully they carry out their existing duties. Usually, key performance indicators (KPIs) and predetermined targets are used to measure it.

**Potential Balon:** Potential assesses a worker’s ability to advance and assume increasingly important responsibilities in the future. It takes into account attributes like leadership, flexibility, and learning agility.