Question: Using the Nine Box Matrix (discussed in chapter 10), and employee doing a good job might actually be rated lower than a mediocre employee who has been working in a developmental stretch assignment. Do you feel this is fair? Why/why not?
Chapter 10: A nine box matrix is a combined assessment of an employee's performance and potential. Many Fortune 500 companies including Bank of America, GE, and Medco Health Solutions use some variety of the nine box matrix for classifying their managers' current job performance and potential for advancement. The nine box matrix plots three levels of current job performance horizontally: exceptional performance, fully performing, and not performing. Vertically, three levels of performance potential are plotted: eligible for promotion, room for growth in current position, and not likely to grow beyond current position. A high performer with high potential would be given the highest rating, followed by both high current performers with moderate potential and moderate current performers with high potential. The reasons for the underperformance of low performers with low potential should be assessed, and these employees then either assigned to a lower level or different position or transitioned out of the company.