Who to move from Ist to Soll
Gap analyse is een waarde creërende tool!
What tool do you use to transition from an existing situation to the desired situation when something changes or goes wrong within a
project or
process?
I get this question regularly, and I've previously addressed it with my blog about the
Prince2
Agile topic. This time, I'm focusing on the GAP analysis method.
A
GAP analysis is a structured way to determine where an organization, project, or process stands relative to a predetermined goal. It identifies the differences (the 'GAP') in areas such as instructions, skills, resources, (ISO) systems, or performance. By visualizing these differences, you can determine the best course of action to achieve the desired situation. You can think of these actions as deploying resources to eliminate limitations and ensuring that safeguards are in place to prevent future recurrence. So, don't just apply band-aids, but ensure that you can't hurt again.
In my opinion, a very important part of the GAP analysis is the inventory of findings. In my assignments, there's usually more to it than just a single observation, so categorization and a risk assessment are crucial to assessing the impact of a finding. Afterward, an
actionplan can be formulated to map out actions for future implementation.
Benefits of a GAP analysis:
- Clarity and focus
- Better decision-making
- Risk prevention
- Measurable progress
But there are also pitfalls:
- Dependence on good data
- Time-consuming process
- Risk of a limited perspective
- Overly ambitious
A GAP analysis isn't a goal in itself, but a very valuable tool for guiding change. In the right context—with clear goals, good data, and commitment from the
people and a
team it's a powerful tool. But without these conditions, it can also lead to delays, frustration, or inefficiency. So, take those actions and coordinate them systematically.
So, it remains people work: analyzing, evaluating, and adjusting. The gap isn't a problem, but rather an opportunity to make the difference between planning and performance.
