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Gap Analysis

Gap analysis is the identification and understanding of the difference between the current state of something and its desired future state – literally “the Gap”; some examples are shown below.

Entity Current State Gap Future State
Process As-is process
  • Changes needed to reach the future state
  • What have we versus what we need
 To-be process
People Current skill-set
  • Training Needs Analysis
  • Competencies held versus competencies required
 Desired skill-set
Systems Off-the-shelf software functionality
  • System requirements analysis
  • Out-of-the box functionality versus required functionality
 Desired software functionality

Gap analysis is similar in many ways to risk analysis, and as with identified risks you should also classify identified gaps to allow them to be addressed in priority order.

HIGH - Nothing in place, urgent consideration

MEDIUM - Some challenges to be addressed, action required

LOW - In place or operating smoothly, no immediate action

Preventing Inadvertent Errors