Recent discussions with several senior HR leaders and consulting partners has caused me to have a bit of concern about the use of the 9 box in the talent review and succession planning process. The 9 box can be a dynamic tool in driving the assessment and development of leaders. However, many organizations are using it in limited ways. Think about your answer to these questions: Is the 9 box chart in your company just a basic tool like the utility knife to help identify high potentials? or Is the 9 box chart a power saw that helps your company cut through subjectivity and drive the development of future leaders? The 9 box chart or talent grid is a commonly used tool for examining talent within the organization and making talent decisions. The 9 box provides perspective or a way of looking at the relationship between the performance of individuals and their potential for the future. The placement of individuals in the 9 box chart is determined by ratings of performance and potential – both based upon a 3 point scale (i.e., Low, Moderate, High).