---
title: "9-Box Talent Matrix"
description: "9-Box Talent Matrix"
---

The 9-Box Talent Matrix is a strategic HR tool that maps employees' current job performance against their future growth potential. This helps the organization identify future leaders, spot hidden talent, manage succession planning, and direct developmental investments where they will have the greatest impact.

### The Two Dimensions
The matrix is structured around a two-axis assessment:
1. **Performance (Horizontal Axis):** How effectively the employee meets expectations and objectives in their current role.
   - *Under target*
   - *On target*
   - *Above target*
2. **Potential (Vertical Axis):** The employee's ability and willingness to grow, learn new skills, and take on broader responsibilities or leadership roles.
   - *Under potential*
   - *On potential*
   - *Above potential*

### The Nine Cells
The intersection of these two dimensions determines the employee's placement in the matrix:
- **Box 1: Stars (10x):** High performance and high potential. Future key leaders.
- **Box 2: High Potential:** Moderate performance but high potential. Needs stretch assignments to reach full capability.
- **Box 3: High Performance:** High performance and moderate potential. Key contributors to current success.
- **Box 4: Solid Performer:** High performance but low potential. Highly dependable anchors who have reached their ceiling.
- **Box 5: Potential Gem:** Underperforming currently but possesses high potential. Often needs realignment or coaching.
- **Box 6: Core Players:** Meets targets with moderate potential. The reliable backbone of the company.
- **Box 7: Average Performer:** Meets expectations but has low potential or drive to take on new challenges.
- **Box 8: Inconsistent Player:** Underperforming with moderate potential. Needs structured coaching and feedback.
- **Box 9: Bad Hires:** Low performance and low potential. Requires immediate intervention (e.g., a PIP or role reassignment).

### Calibration and Development Plans
- **Calibration Matrix:** HR and Admins can access a calibration dashboard to review placements organization-wide. This ensures manager assessments are standardized and free from individual bias.
- **Development Actions (IDP):** For each box, the system recommends specific strategy templates. Managers can utilize these insights to build and track an Individual Development Plan (IDP) directly on the employee's profile.

### The rule builder in "New 9-Box cycle"
When an admin creates a new cycle, the "Who's included in this cycle?" step selects employees via a rule builder — the exact same shared engine Salary Review's own "Included employees" builder uses. The attribute list covers every column in the Staff list, including custom fields, not just a handful of fixed choices. Picking an attribute that's itself a dropdown-type field (e.g. Employment Type, Department, or a custom select field) automatically turns the value field into a dropdown of the organization's real, present values instead of free text — the same behavior as Salary Review.