What is the 9-box model or 9-box grid?

The 9-box model is a talent management framework HR teams use to evaluate employee performance and potential. It maps people into nine categories to support succession planning, leadership development, and workforce strategy.

What is the 9-box model used for?

Most HR teams use the 9-box model for talent management and succession planning. The 9-box model classifies team members into high, moderate, and low performers based on factors like meeting or exceeding responsibilities, natural leadership abilities, training and development needs, and meeting performance goals.

What 9 boxes make up the 9-box grid?

The 9-box grid organizes team members into nine groups classified within three segments. HR managers can assess their people based on two key variables using this system—how they perform today and how well they’ll perform in the future.

What are the challenges in using the 9-box grid?

Using personal judgment to place team members in the grid can lead to biases and inconsistencies.

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