GAP Analysis and how it can be performed

A GAP Analysis compares the current state with an ideal state, which inturn highlights opportunities and shortcomings.
This Analysis tells us what to fix or change to get our business to the next level.

>>>How to perform a GAP Analysis?

1. Analyze your current state:
First, you’ll need to start with your current state.
You need to discover where your organization currently is before you can make a plan for reaching your goals. 
The important thing to understanding at this point is the root of the problem and it becomes easier to see once you’ve laid out all the factors.

2. Identify the ideal future state:
Once you have figured out and understood the current state, you need to think about where you would like to be.
Taking an example of the marketing team. They may outsource all its content, but they realize, after performing a content audit, that their brand is no longer continuous because it is being handled by a different group of freelancers. Your dream could be to regain control of the content creation process in order to reclaim your brand identity.
In the above scenarios, current situation needs to be changed. But instead of charging blindly ahead, we need to picture the ideal and try to reach a higher potential.

3. Find the gap and evaluate solutions:
Completing the first two steps in isolation and put them together. This will expose what’s missing between your performance and your potential. Once done, you need to decide which solutions will bridge the gap most effectively.

4. Create and implement a plan to bridge the gap
Once the possible ways to bridge the gap are completed and decided which would be best, you will need to convince others of that as well in your organization because the changes that you’ll implement can also affect other teams and department.
Prepare a clear strategy and objectives to get everyone on board.
Have a timeline and schedule for rolling out the planned changes before presenting to management or executives.

>>>Gap Analysis Tools:

1. SWOT analysis:
One can perform a SWOT analysis both quantitatively and qualitatively.
This process will help you determine internal and external threats to your organization and see where and how you stand out against the competition.

2. Fishbone diagram:
Fishbone diagrams are also known as Ishikawa, cause-and-effect, or herringbone diagrams.
They explore the possible causes of a root problem and are valuable in examining the current situation.
The most commonly used categories for investigation are: 
2. Measurements
1. Materials
4. People
3. Machines
6. Methods
5. Environment