in marketing research, evaluation of data to uncover a market, large or small, that is currently not being served well or, perhaps, not being served at all, thereby representing an opportunity for the marketer.

a Geographic Information System (GIS) methodology to identify the distribution of biodiversity over large spatial areas. It was developed in 1988 by the U.S. Geological Survey in an effort to ensure that regions rich in species diversity are conserved with the hope that this will eliminate the need to list species as threatened or endangered in the future. The gap analysis approach uses maps of vegetation and predicted animal distributions to locate centers of species richness outside areas currently managed for biodiversity protection. These are considered the "gaps" of gap analysis. Thus far, its use primarily has been in the terrestrial sphere

An analysis of the difference between current performance and desired performance. Gaps identify where changes must occur to raise performance.

The comparison of a current condition to the desired state.

The process of comparing information from the supply analysis and the demand analysis to identify the differences or "gaps." Gap analysis identifies situations in which the number of personnel or competencies in the current workforce will not meet future needs as well as situations in which current workforce personnel or competencies exceed the needs of the future.

a numerical comparison that can be used to evaluate how closely one competency evaluation is to another

a systematic comparison of an organization's practices against a selected standard or model

Identification of required business functions that must be implemented, are not delivered by PeopleSoft and will require modification to the software or other solutions. Gap identification is one of the outcomes of a Fit Analysis.

The process of identifying the difference between an organization's current posture or reality and the organization's vision or preferred future.

a comparison of the distribution of elements of biodiversity with that of areas managed for their long-term viability to identify elements with inadequate representation

Comparison of the functionality of the selected vendor’s software system as purchased, versus the needs of the campus, as identified in campus-wide visits and discussions. Outcomes of gap analysis include a list of items that will require new development, modification, or customization.

Comparison of the functionalities of old and new payroll systems to determine if there are any gaps in the functionality of the new system that need to be addressed before going live.

The difference between the current state and "Blue Sky Vision"

An analytical model that examines the difference between a company's perception of its services and a customer's perception of those services. It may also be applied in benchmarking or to evaluate current strategies.

Gap analysis naturally flows from benchmarking or other assessments. Once we understand what is the general expectation of performance in industry, we can then compare that with current capabilities, and this becomes the gap analysis. Such analysis can be performed at the strategic or operational level of an organization.

A rated comparison of Current Best Practices and actual performance.

The difference between projected outcomes and desired outcomes. In product development, the gap is frequently measured as the difference between expected and desired revenues or profits from currently planned new products if the corporation is to meet its objectives.

Gap analysis is the study of the differences between two different information systems or applications, often for the purpose of determining how to get from one state to a new state. A gap is sometimes spoken of as "the space between where we are and where we want to be." Gap analysis is undertaken as a means of bridging that space.

In business and economics, gap analysis is a business resource assessment tool enabling a company to compare its actual performance with its potential performance.

Gap analysisScott, J.M. and Schipper, J. 2006. Gap analysis: a spatial tool for conservation planning. Pp. 518-519 in M.J.

Figure out what to do by assessing the gap between where you are and where you want to be. Most people then begin building from the present into the future. We favor looking at the step right before the ultimate one and backing toward the present one step at a time.