The GE nine cell matrix was developed by McKinsey for General Electric in the 1970s to analyze business portfolio. Instead of the four cells in the BCG Matrix, the GE matrix creates nine cells based on a 3x3 grid that considers both long-term industry attractiveness (high, medium, low) and a business unit's strength within that industry (strong, average, weak). The matrix is used to identify a business portfolio that optimally matches strengths with attractive industries. Strategies like growth, hold, and harvest are then determined for each cell based on the business unit's strength and the industry attractiveness.