Succession Planning FAQs
Find answers to common questions about Succession Planning and the 9-Box Grid in Trakstar Perform.
Getting started? If you're new to succession planning, review the complete Succession Planning guide before configuring your 9-Box Grid.
Check out our complete guide to succession planning in Perform here.
Can I manually place an employee on the 9-Box Grid?
No.
Employees are automatically positioned on the 9-Box Grid based on their performance and potential scores. Manual placement is not supported because it helps reduce bias in succession planning decisions.
Can I adjust the thresholds that determine where employees appear on the matrix?
Yes.
Use the Advanced Settings to modify the threshold values used for each axis of the 9-Box Grid if you'd like greater differentiation between employees.
Best practice: Set the minimum threshold to match the lowest value in your organization's rating scale.
For example:
- If your rating scale starts at 20, set the minimum threshold to 20.
- Setting the threshold to 0 when your rating scale starts higher can artificially inflate report results.
Can employees see where they are placed on the 9-Box Grid?
No.
The Potential section is never shared with employees, and only Administrators can view the 9-Box Grid report.
How can I share succession planning data with my team?
You can export succession planning data in either of the following formats:
- PDF – Preserves the current appearance of the grid.
- CSV – Exports the underlying data for additional analysis outside Trakstar Perform.
I don't see the 9-Box Grid in my account. How can I enable it?
Contact Trakstar Support or your Account Manager to have the 9-Box Grid enabled for your Perform account.
This feature can be enabled at no additional cost.
How do I add the Potential section to a review template?
To add the Potential section:
- Navigate to Review Templates.
- Select the review template you want to edit, or create a new template.
- Click Add Element.
- Select Section.
- Search for Potential.
- Select the Potential section.
- Click Add to save the change.
The Potential section is now available on that review template.
Can I customize the default Potential section?
Yes.
To edit the default section:
- Navigate to Forms.
- Select Sections.
- Open the Potential section.
- Make your desired changes.
- Save your updates.
I don't have a Potential section. How can I create one?
If the Potential section has been removed from your account, you can create a new one.
Configure the section with the following settings:
Name: Potential
Type: Section
Elements: Add the following three competencies to this section (these may already be in your account, as they are part of the stock competency library.)
- Ability: Could the employee perform at a higher level, in a different position, or assume greater responsibilities within the next year? Consider ability only-not whether an appropriate position currently exists.
- Aspiration: Does the employee demonstrate leadership potential by showing initiative, vision, consistent results, effective communication, and appropriate risk-taking?
- Engagement: Does the employee actively seek learning and development opportunities?
Can I create additional Potential sections?
Yes.
You can create additional Potential sections and add them to review templates as needed.
When creating additional sections:
- Configure the section so it is hidden from employees.
- Hidden sections can be added to any review template.
- Hidden sections always receive a 0% weighting so they do not affect employee review scores.
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When viewing the 9-Box Grid, you can choose which Potential section supplies the potential score.
Note: Once a section has been hidden, it cannot be undone and made visible to an employee. Learn more about hidden sections here. Additionally, all hidden sections will have a weighting of 0% to ensure an equitable review score for employees.
