Gap Analysis: Beware

by Dwayne Phillips

Analyzing the gap between what we have and what we need is a good practice. Beware, however, that it doesn’t stop people from thinking and focus them on the same old thing.

“Gap analysis is a systematic method used to identify the differences between an organization’s current state and its desired future state. By comparing the “as-is” situation with the “to-be” situation, organizations can pinpoint areas for improvement, such as performance gaps, process inefficiencies, or resource deficiencies. This analysis helps prioritize actions, allocate resources effectively, and develop strategies to bridge the gap and achieve desired goals.”—standard description of gap analysis provided by some chattering bot.

Okay, it is often good to analyze the gap between what we have and what we need.

CAUTION: gap analysis often focuses on what we have and how to extend what we have. Notice the focus on “what we have.” We are spending a lot of time studying our current situation and our current capabilities.

What about something new? What about something completely different? Gap analysis does not address these questions. Sure, we can address these “What about” questions later. Do we have “later?” Have we consumed all our resources on gap analysis? Are our brains consumed with the current world?

Beware of the focus of gap analysis when analyzing gaps. Allocate resources for something completely different. We can do better.