What is the main goal of conducting a Gap Analysis?

The primary goal of conducting a Gap Analysis is to highlight disparities between existing and desired future states. This process allows organizations to clearly understand the difference between where they currently are in terms of capabilities, resources, processes, and overall performance, and where they aim to be in the future. By identifying these gaps, organizations can make informed decisions about the steps needed to bridge them, whether that involves strategic planning, resource allocation, or process improvement. This analysis provides a foundational understanding that informs the development of the architecture roadmap and strategy, enabling a targeted approach to achieving desired outcomes.

Other options, while relevant in various contexts, do not specifically capture the essence of Gap Analysis. Identifying potential risks may be a consideration during the overall planning process, but it is not the core intent of Gap Analysis. Describing the architecture baseline can be a part of the analysis but does not reflect the comparative nature of identifying gaps. Assessing compliance with regulations is also important in an enterprise context, but it focuses on adherence to standards rather than the comparative analysis of states that Gap Analysis aims to achieve.