# gap-analysis

Compares your current state with the desired one and lists what is missing. Useful before big investments or a roadmap rewrite.

- skill · `type=skill` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, OpenCode · 526 installs · ★ 371
- Author: aj-geddes
- License: MIT · policy=mirror · the beginning of the file is at the end of this page
- Source: https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts/tree/HEAD/skills/gap-analysis/SKILL.md
- Updated: 2026-03-04
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/gap-analysis

## What it does

The skill works through the distance between where things stand and where you want them. It sorts the difference into categories: business capability, process, technology, skills, data, people and culture, organization, metrics. Each area gets a view of what has to change and what that change costs.

Inside there is a short Python example: a `GapAnalysis` class holding the category list and an `identify_gaps` method that matches future capabilities against current ones. The full implementation lives in four guides under `references/`: a gap identification framework, an analysis template, gap closure planning, and communication and tracking.

The skill advises comparing against a clearly defined future state and pulling stakeholders into the gap hunt. Planning every gap in parallel is a bad idea, because dependencies and resource limits pile up faster than expected. A vague future state turns the whole exercise into a wish list, so pin that down first.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill gap-analysis -a claude-code
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `~/.claude/skills/gap-analysis/SKILL.md` — Copy the whole skill folder; for one project use .claude/skills/gap-analysis/

### Codex

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill gap-analysis -a codex
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.agents/skills/gap-analysis/SKILL.md` — For all projects use ~/.agents/skills/

### Cursor

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill gap-analysis -a cursor
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.cursor/skills/gap-analysis/SKILL.md` — Cursor also reads .agents/skills/ and .claude/skills/

### GitHub Copilot

1. **GitHub CLI**
```bash
gh skill install aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts gap-analysis
```

2. **Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.github/skills/gap-analysis/SKILL.md`

### Gemini CLI

1. **Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill gap-analysis -a gemini-cli
```

2. **Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini skills install https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --path skills/gap-analysis
```

### Windsurf (Devin Desktop)

**Manually: put the files in place**
- File: `.devin/skills/gap-analysis/SKILL.md` — The legacy .windsurf/skills/ path still works

### OpenCode

**Skills CLI (Vercel)**
```bash
npx skills add aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts --skill gap-analysis -a opencode
```

### Claude.ai

**Claude.ai**
- Zip the folder and upload it in Settings → Capabilities → Skills

Where a file is given instead of a command, copy the files from the source to that path: https://github.com/aj-geddes/useful-ai-prompts/tree/HEAD/skills/gap-analysis/SKILL.md

## When to use it
- compare current team capabilities against target ones
- spot process gaps before automating anything
- work out which skills are missing for a new project
- sort gaps by category and priority
- build a closure plan that respects dependencies

## Example prompts
- Run a gap analysis: here is our current state, here is the target — what do we need to close
- Compare our stack with what the new architecture requires
- Break the gaps into categories and propose a closure plan

## Source text · SKILL.md · MIT

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BEGIN THIRD-PARTY FILE 8dc9343f60a7a239
````text
---
name: gap-analysis
description: >
  Identify differences between current state and desired future state. Analyze
  gaps in capabilities, processes, skills, and technology to plan improvements
  and investments.
---

# Gap Analysis

## Table of Contents

- [Overview](#overview)
- [When to Use](#when-to-use)
- [Quick Start](#quick-start)
- [Reference Guides](#reference-guides)
- [Best Practices](#best-practices)

## Overview

Gap analysis systematically compares current capabilities with desired future state, revealing what needs to change and what investments are required.

## When to Use

- Strategic planning and goal setting
- Technology modernization assessment
- Process improvement initiatives
- Skills and training planning
- System evaluation and selection
- Organizational change planning
- Capability building programs

## Quick Start

Minimal working example:

```python
# Systematic gap identification

class GapAnalysis:
    GAP_CATEGORIES = {
        'Business Capability': 'Functions organization can perform',
        'Process': 'How work gets done',
        'Technology': 'Tools and systems available',
        'Skills': 'Knowledge and expertise',
        'Data': 'Information available',
        'People/Culture': 'Team composition and mindset',
        'Organization': 'Structure and roles',
        'Metrics': 'Ability to measure performance'
    }

    def identify_gaps(self, current_state, future_state):
        """Compare current vs desired and find gaps"""
        gaps = []

        for capability in future_state['capabilities']:
            current_capability = self.find_capability(
                capability['name'],
                current_state['capabilities']
            )

            if current_capability is None:
// ... (see reference guides for full implementation)
```

## Reference Guides

Detailed implementations in the `references/` directory:

| Guide | Contents |
|---|---|
| [Gap Identification Framework](references/gap-identification-framework.md) | Gap Identification Framework |
| [Gap Analysis Template](references/gap-analysis-template.md) | Gap Analysis Template |
| [Gap Closure Planning](references/gap-closure-planning.md) | Gap Closure Planning |
| [Communication & Tracking](references/communication-tracking.md) | Communication & Tracking |

## Best Practices

### ✅ DO

- Compare current to clearly defined future state
- Include all relevant capability areas
- Involve stakeholders in gap identification
- Prioritize by value and effort
- Create detailed closure plans
- Track progress to closure
- Document gap analysis findings
- Review and update analysis quarterly
- Link gaps to business strategy
- Communicate findings transparently

### ❌ DON'T

- Skip current state assessment
- Create vague future state
````
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