A Gap Analysis Process to Improve It Management

INTRODUCTION Those installations concerned with providing an improved array of IT products and services to their customers should seriously consider a “gap analysis” approach to information technology (IT) management. This process offers a straightforward, non-complex process to improve several areas of the IT function. Gap analysis can be completed quickly and inexpensively, in contrast to other methods of improving the IT department. In addition, because the process is easily controlled, it can be effectively applied to smallor medium-sized efforts. Furthermore, it is very easy to develop pilot gap analysis processes, and verify the process results. This enables organizations to test out the validity of the approach before heavily committing to the process for more extensive work. Finally, the gap analysis process can be effectively applied to any area of the IT function. Many IT organizations struggle with the need to improve their contribution to the organization. And, at times, massive approaches are the only practical answer to resolving IT problems. However, all too often, IT improvement efforts become too comprehensive, complex, and expensive, and they sometimes fail. So installations can use the gap analysis P A Y O F F I D E A