The importance of Gap Analysis in IT Systems development
When creating a new system, project or process it is easy to pinpoint what you want your desired outcomes to be, the hard part is figuring out the steps you need to take to get there. Missing out key steps within your planning and briefing process can make achieving your desired outcomes difficult, and sometimes impossible. Undertaking a gap analysis at the project outset enables you to identify your current position and performance and compare it to your desired outcomes. This process then identifies the “gaps” in the existing working processes and enables you to put the correct actions in place to fill them. By ensuring these gaps are filled will contribute to the overall success of your project an ensure that your project objectives are achievable.
To successfully undertake a gap analysis, you must first establish the needs of your business or project, this process can be challenging, especially with varying stakeholders and demands. Having a clear and aligned vision on what you are trying to achieve will promote the effectiveness of the analysis. Changes in scope and direction can negatively impact the overall effectiveness of the analysis. With a clear consensus on the project deliverables the process of identifying the gaps begins. Trying to identify why a system, process or piece of software isn’t performing can be difficult, this is when a gap analysis will help identify this.
Our approach to gap analysis involves:
- Understanding the current state – we achieve this through forensically examining existing systems and processes. This involves undertaking an in-depth review of current performance and outputs to gather a clear understanding of the existing position and capability.
- Clearly understanding the desired state – this will be captured during the project briefing stage. As mentioned above having a clear understanding and brief of what the project is set to achieve enables IT Project Managers to have a clear vision, deliverable and objective for what they are needing to achieve.
- Understanding the gaps – we will then produce an action plan and recommendations of what needs to be put in place to achieve the desired outcome. Through utilising our internal skill sets and expertise we can provide solutions, which align to the brief, and essentially “fill the gaps” that will enable the performance and outcomes of the business to be achieved.
Our experienced development team are here to work with you to examine your existing processes and software and provide advice and guidance on ways this can be improved. Our consultancy and analysis service enable us to forensically examine your existing processes and software and provide key recommendations on how these can be improved to achieve your desired outcomes.
Established in 2020, Weston Analytics is a technology company that creates and offers bespoke software as a service and business systems. The Weston Analytics portfolio currently includes Fatigue360, a fatigue management solution, Worksite360, a workforce management solution, and Enviro360, a waste management solution.
Contact us at sales@westonanalytics.com
