What is a 9 box performance vs potential matrix

17 of June, 2022

The 9 box performance potential grid is a famous tool used by talent managers and HR departments alike to assess how their employees fit in to the talent tree. The 9 box grid assesses their performance up against their potential. It is favored by managers because of its simplicity and visually clear layout.

The 9 box grid is, alongside measures of productivity and efficiency, a core part of assessing talent in your team. As a manager you want to know which of your employers not only can perform to a high standard, but also grow into potentially filling your boots when you move up the ranks. That is why identifying High Potential Leaders is a core part of both your HR and your management’s success in maintaining talent levels up.

What are the 9 boxes in a performance vs potential matrix

The performance vs potential matrix is a chart with an X and a Y axis. The units are categorized into boxes rather than as a continuous scale. The top right box is seen as the most valuable position an employee can achieve, having maxed out on both high performance and high potential. This is called the 1A or Consistent Star performer, but can also be called a High Potential Leader.

From 1A, 1B, 1C to 2A, 2B, 2C and finally 3A, 3B and 3C  you can have a numbered and lettered approach so that it easily coded. You can also have the traditional names for each category in the 9 boxes.

How is a 9 box potential measured?

To measure the potential of the employee in question, managers mostly use a series of performance evaluations. These can be cognitive, psychological ones evaluating their leadership traits. They can also be simple delivery targets that the employee has fulfilled. The assessment must be based on a series of critical competences such as logical reasoning, but also a series of criteria that are company specific.

Examples of skills assessed can thus be the following :

• The temperament of the employee when faced with difficult problems
• Their problem-solving skills
• Their skills related to the company’s core skill requirement
• Team work ability
• Leadership and tutoring ability
• Strategic planning and thinking

How to detect high potential leaders?

High Potential Leaders are employees who, on the 9 box performance assessment grid, score towards the top right. These are people who display both an ability to deliver at a high performance level, and a potential to develop more. These are people who will take up senior leadership positions in the company in the future.

Identifying High Potential Leaders is a core part of an HR team’s responsibility. They can allocate them to a higher position or different department with managerial approval. They can also help under-performers find new avenues for improvement through the 9 box performance vs potential matrix.

What can I do with the 9 box performance vs potential matrix

As a talent manager you may want to use each employee’s evaluation to tailor your approach accordingly. For example, someone who has low performance but high potential may have issues of motivation or just need some more person-specific management. Give this person new responsibilities and tasks if necessary.

Finally you must deal with the thorny issue of low potential, low performing individuals. You may need to conduct an appraisal meeting with them and put them on a path to improvement. You could also decide to move them to a different department. If they don’t change though, it’s likely that you will simply have to cut the proverbial cost to your company and let the employee go.