Strategische Lückenanalyse

Key Takeaways

• Strategic gap analysis evaluates differences between actual and ideal business outcomes.
• It identifies steps to improve performance and achieve business goals.
• The analysis often leads to actionable plans based on industry benchmarks.
• Analysis includes assessing the current state, desired state, and the gap between them.
• Strategic gap analysis helps organizations use resources efficiently to reach their full potential.
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What Is Strategic Gap Analysis?

Strategic gap analysis evaluates differences between actual and ideal business outcomes. It identifies the steps needed to close performance gaps and improve business results. Conducting a strategic gap analysis involves studying the current state, the desired state, and the gap, as well as setting goals and creating an action plan.

In addition, factors such as time frame, management performance, and budget constraints, are looked at critically in order to identify shortcomings. Benchmarking industry standards can inform a strategic gap analysis and guide resource allocation.

Analyzing the Gaps in Business Strategy

A strategic gap analysis is one method that is used to help a company or any other organization determine whether it is getting the best return from its resources. It identifies the gap between the status quo and the best possible result.

Performing a strategic gap analysis can point to potential areas for improvement and identify the resources that are required for an organization to achieve its strategic goals.

Strategic gap analysis emerges from a variety of performance assessments, most notably benchmarking. When the performance level of an industry or a project is known, that benchmark can be used to measure whether a company's performance is acceptable or if it needs improvement. Such a comparison informs a strategic gap analysis.

From that point, the organization can determine what combination of resources, such as money, time, and personnel, is needed for a better outcome.

Many businesses fail to plan strategically. They have the resources and competencies to achieve their basic business targets, but fail to realize their full potential. A strategic gap analysis could help such a business bridge the gap between its current and potential performance levels.

Strategic Gap Analysis: An Example

A small mom-and-pop restaurant in a seaside town has a loyal clientele of locals, but its owners yearn to serve the summer vacation crowd as well. A strategic gap analysis identifies the changes required for the restaurant to meet its goals.

These changes might include relocating to a busier street, staying open later to appeal to vacationers, and updating the menu. The restaurant owners don't have to take any of these recommendations. But it might do so if it wants to reach that higher level of business success.

What Are the 3 Fundamental Components of a Gap Analysis?

The three fundamental components of a gap analysis are (1) the current state, (2) the desired state, and (3) the gap. The current state is where the company is now and how it operates, the desired state is where it wants to be as defined by certain metrics, such as improved efficiency, better margins, etc., and the gap is the difference between the current state and the desired state, which allows a company to create an action plan to close it.

Is a SWOT Analysis a Gap Analysis?

A SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis can be seen as a type of gap analysis because it details where a company currently stands. It allows a company to see what it does well and what it does not do well, and thereby determine a way to improve the latter.

How Do You Conduct a Gap Analysis?

To conduct a gap analysis, you first need to take note of the current situation. This usually involves determining what kind of metrics are important to your company or your department, such as margin, inventory turnover, conversion rates, or efficiency levels. Next, set the goals of where you want to end up. Benchmarking towards industry standards or competitors is a good way to get an idea of where you want to improve. The goals should be measurable and achievable.

The next step is an analysis of the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Determine why your metrics are the way they are and not better. This could be due to a variety of issues: marketing, hiring, training, etc. Lastly, create an action plan that will lead you to close the gap.