# Gap analysis A gap analysis aims to identify the differences between the current and future state of something (e.g., a goal, a project, a product, an organization, etc). This exercise helps better understand where you are vs where you want to be, highlighting what's left to accomplish or change, things that need to be addressed, etc. ## Approach The first step for performing a gap analysis is to clearly and precisely document the current situation/state. Then, the future state should also be described clearly, with specific and measurable objectives (think [[SMART Goals]]). Finally, the discrepancies should be analyzed by looking at the differences between the former and the latter, from various angles. ## Benefits A gap analysis is a great tool to bring clarity into your progress, remaining work. It also helps a lot to better prioritize the next steps, and allocate resources effectively. With a clear understanding of the nature and magnitude of the gaps, you can adjust course to increase your chances of success, and you can develop better action plans with realistic timelines.