1. ADOPTING THE 9 BOX MODEL®
FOR CLASSIFYING PEOPLE IN
ORGANIZATIONS
Anand Kumar
Director
SurgeForth Technologies
The Talent Management Company
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ABOUT THE 9-BOX MODEL
It is simply a tool within the overall people review
process that helps to (more deliberately) identify, high
potentials, high professionals, and those moving towards
those two categories
Assesses people on two dimensions – performance and
potential
Drive accelerated development based upon assessment
within the matrix
Its about accurately assessing individuals so that
development plans appropriately match individuals
Provides a consistent approach to calibrating potential
Should be reassessed annually
3. Demonstrated Performance
The 9-Box Model
High Pro
Utility Pro
Consistent Star
Solid Performers
Utility Player
Future Star
Take Action
Inconsistent
Rough Diamond
Long-Term Potential
4. The 9-Box Model – Take Action
Demonstrated Performance
Take
High Pro
Action/Lower Performer:
Utility Pro
Consistent Star
Is not delivering results as expected and cannot
effectively adapt to new and different
situations. This is the least-valued cell in terms
of ROI. Occupants of Player
this cell may require
Solid Performers
Utility
Future Star
performance action.
Possible Action:
Probably need to take some action, remove from
the organization, orInconsistent that better suits
find a role
Rough Diamond
Take Action
his or her skill set.
Long-Term Potential Agility
5. The 9-Box Model – Solid Performers
Utility Pro
Consistent Star
Solid Performers:
Consistently meets and may occasionally
exceed expectations. Knows current job well.
Does not effectively adapt to new situations.
Has a narrow bandwidth in terms Future Star
of
Solid Performers
Utility Player
professional interests.
Possible Action:
Keep in similar type of function or technology
role
Inconsistent
Rough Diamond
Take Action
Demonstrated Performance
High Pro
Long-Term Potential
6. Demonstrated Performance
The 9-Box Model – Inconsistent
Inconsistent Performer:
Has some potential to do more but has not yet
High Pro
Utility Pro
Consistent Star
fully demonstrated it. Is not meeting
performance standards applied to others in the
organization and, as a result, is struggling. May
be new to the job or to the company. May be in
Solid Performers
Utility Player
the wrong job or function. Future Star
Possible Action:
Careful next assignment to increase
performance and some learning enhancement
Inconsistent
Rough
Take Action
work to improve potential. Consider more Diamond
time
in role to further evaluate.
Long-Term Potential
7. The 9-Box Model – High Pro
Demonstrated Performance
High Pro
High Pro
UtilityPro:
Consistent Star
Consistently produces exceptional results and high
performance ratings in a defined but focused area. Knows
current job extremely well. Does not always easily adapt
to new situations, particularly those outside of his/her
functional area. Cell Utility Player very valuable to the
occupants are
Solid Performers
Future Star
organization. May be promotable within similar level roles
Possible Action:
Help keep current in specialty and have a development and
retention plan. Consider as a Key Contributor to mentor and
Inconsistent
Rough Diamond
coach others
Take Action
Long-Term Potential
8. The 9-Box Model – Utility Player
Demonstrated Performance
Utility Player (Key Performer):
Meets the expectations of the role. Understands and knows
High Pro
Utility Pro
Consistent Star
the current job well and enhances skills for their current
job as well as the near-term future. Can adapt to new
situations and challenges as necessary. Comfortably
assumes new jobs and roles and performs well in them in
time. Probably promotable a level vertically or could move
Solid Performers
Utility Player
laterally within the organization. Future Star
Possible Action:
Use in temporary and key positions until a Utility Pro,
Future Star or Consistent Star role becomes available.
Have the person work on a learning enhancement plan to
Inconsistent
Rough Diamond
Take move
try to Action over to a Future Star or develop deeper skill
and knowledge in his or her field to move to a Utility Pro.
Long-Term Potential
9. Demonstrated Performance
The 9-Box Model – Rough Diamond
Rough Diamond:
Occupants of Cell 6 are truly High Potential. Most would
High Pro
Consistent Star
agree that they have the Utility Pro to perform and do great
potential
things for the organization. They have potential, but as the
word suggests, the actual playing out of the potential is in the
future. They have either not had sufficient time or
opportunities to demonstrate what they can do or have been
inconsistent in
Solid Performers the past. Some may have had one or more
Utility Player
Future Star
significant stumbles recently but people still think they have
the potential to break out and be a significant contributor.
May be in the wrong job or a poor fit for the current situation.
Possible Action:
Inconsistent
Take next
Place Actionin a very developmental job andRough in role
keep Diamond
longer than usual so he/she can increase along the
performance dimension and become a Future Star.
Long-Term Potential
10. The 9-Box Model – Utility Pro
Demonstrated Performance
High Pro
Utility Pro:
Utility Pro
Consistent Star
Consistently produces exceptional results and receives high
performance ratings. Is particularly good in one or more
areas like businesses, geographies, functions, or specialized
skills. Can adapt to new situations and learn new areas.
May be promotable in multiple functional/technical areas
Solid Performers or general management.
Utility Player
Future Star
Possible Action:
Place in mission critical jobs and see if you can interest the
person in working on a learning enhancement plan to move
to a 9. Apply a development and retention plan so the
Inconsistent
Rough Diamond
Take Action
person has no reason to leave the organization.
Long-Term Potential
11. Demonstrated Performance
The 9-Box Model – Future Star
Future Star:
Consistently meets and Pro
sometimes Consistent Star
exceeds
High Pro
Utility
expectations and has the capacity to take on new
and different challenges on a consistent basis.
Addresses new challenges and issues with ease.
Quickly gets up to speed when taking on a new
Solid Performers Has the potential to make career
Utility Player
Future Star
assignment.
changes into different situations.
Possible Action:
Continue to move through diverse developmental
Inconsistent
Rough make
Take Action
assignments and apply a retention plan to Diamond
sure the person stays with the organization.
Long-Term Potential
12. Demonstrated Performance
The 9-Box Model – Consistent Star
Consistent Star:
High there
Utility Pro
Consistent Star
The best Pro is and the best you have. They are typically
in short supply but in high demand. Performs well in
almost everything they take on. Learns fast. Transfers
learning from one area to another. Resourceful. Gets
things done under tight deadlines and resources. Has the
ability to take
stretch assignments inFuture Star
new areas
Solid Performerson majorUtility Player
with promotions and lateral movement into just about any
situation.
Possible Action:
Apply a development and retention plan and continue to
Inconsistent
Rough Diamond
Take Action with a succession of diverse assignments.
challenge
Long-Term Potential
13. Demonstrated Performance
The 9-Box Model
High Pro
Utility Pro
Consistent Star
Solid Performers
Utility Player
Future Star
Take Action
Inconsistent
Rough Diamond
Long-Term Potential
