methodatlas
Session Builder

Plan my session

Plan a concrete work block with agenda, roles, preparation, and a copyable result artifact.

Method session1-3 hWorkshop or asyncGap Matrix

Session: GAP Analysis

The plan translates the method into a concrete facilitated work block. Your inputs flow directly into the session brief and work artifact.

Derived automatically

Method session with 2-8. The plan uses the existing method logic and the runsheet.

Runsheet
Participation logic
Team round, shared work and alignment

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome logic
Finish artifact

The session works directly toward Gap Matrix. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

  1. 1

    Scope and target state

    20 min

    Define the investigation scope and desired state with measurable criteria. Hint: A target like "get better" is not enough. Name target values or concrete capabilities.

    FacilitatorGap Matrix
  2. 2

    Capture current state

    30-45 min

    Describe the current state with data, examples, and observable facts. Hint: Do not gather solutions first. First check whether everyone sees the same current state.

    FacilitatorAction Plan
  3. 3

    Formulate gaps

    30 min

    Document differences between current and desired state as individual gap entries. Hint: A gap is not a measure. "Implement CRM" is a solution, "no central customer view" is a gap.

    FacilitatorRisk Notes
  4. 4

    Assess causes and impact

    30-45 min

    For each gap, clarify cause, effect, urgency, and dependencies. Hint: High pain without root cause leads to symbolic measures. Validate the cause at least at a basic level.

    FacilitatorGap Matrix
  5. 5

    Derive actions

    30 min

    Set actions, owner, deadline, and success signal for prioritized gaps. Hint: Do not close all gaps at once. Explicitly account for capacity.

    OwnerAction Plan
  6. 6

    Publish artifact

    10 min

    Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients.

    OwnerGap Matrix
Usable artifact

Session Brief

For invitations, boards, tickets, PR descriptions, or workshop notes.

session-brief.md

Session Brief: GAP Analysis

Goal

Artifact: Gap Matrix

Working Question

Which gaps between current state and target state prevent the outcome, and which actions close them effectively?

Context

Scope, target state, current data, known initiatives, constraints, and decision on which gaps should be addressed.

Setup

  • Format: Method session
  • Duration: 1-3 h
  • Mode: Workshop or async
  • Participants: Facilitator; business owner for the target state; 2-8 people with knowledge of the current state; decision maker for action prioritization.
  • Owner: Facilitator
  • Participation mode: Team round, shared work and alignment
  • Outcome logic: Finish artifact

Participation Logic

Use the session for shared understanding. Contributions are collected visibly, assumptions are aligned, and open differences remain traceable in the artifact.

Outcome Logic

The session works directly toward Gap Matrix. After the session, the artifact should be shareable, reviewable, or reusable.

Input

Workshop board or spreadsheet with columns Current State, Desired State, Gap, Cause, Impact, Action, Owner; existing KPIs, process data, and strategy goals.

Preparation

Make scope visible and limit it. Fix the target state before collecting gaps. Formulate each gap as an observable difference.

Agenda

  1. Scope and target state (20 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Define the investigation scope and desired state with measurable criteria. Hint: A target like "get better" is not enough. Name target values or concrete capabilities. Output: Gap Matrix

  2. Capture current state (30-45 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Describe the current state with data, examples, and observable facts. Hint: Do not gather solutions first. First check whether everyone sees the same current state. Output: Action Plan

  3. Formulate gaps (30 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: Document differences between current and desired state as individual gap entries. Hint: A gap is not a measure. "Implement CRM" is a solution, "no central customer view" is a gap. Output: Risk Notes

  4. Assess causes and impact (30-45 min) Owner: Facilitator Action: For each gap, clarify cause, effect, urgency, and dependencies. Hint: High pain without root cause leads to symbolic measures. Validate the cause at least at a basic level. Output: Gap Matrix

  5. Derive actions (30 min) Owner: Owner Action: Set actions, owner, deadline, and success signal for prioritized gaps. Hint: Do not close all gaps at once. Explicitly account for capacity. Output: Action Plan

  6. Publish artifact (10 min) Owner: Owner Action: Check the artifact for completeness, define location, set version or status, and name review recipients. Output: Gap Matrix

Closeout

  • Update result artifact: Gap Matrix
  • Define location, version, and review recipients.
  • Define owner, next step, and review date.
Usable artifact

Work artifact

Pre-filled starting point based on the matching template.

work-artifact.md

Gap Matrix: GAP Analysis

Working Question

Which gaps between current state and target state prevent the outcome, and which actions close them effectively?

Context

Scope, target state, current data, known initiatives, constraints, and decision on which gaps should be addressed.

Participants

  • Owner: Facilitator
  • Participants: Facilitator; business owner for the target state; 2-8 people with knowledge of the current state; decision maker for action prioritization.

Input

Workshop board or spreadsheet with columns Current State, Desired State, Gap, Cause, Impact, Action, Owner; existing KPIs, process data, and strategy goals.

Template

Gap Analysis Working Template

Goal

Compare the current state with the target state and derive the most important gaps.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Working area

  • Current state:
  • Target state:
  • Gaps:
  • Causes:
  • Priorities:

Output artifacts

  • Gap list:
  • Action options:
  • Prioritized next steps:

Open questions

  • ...

Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Completion Check

  • Gap Matrix is complete enough for review:
  • Location:
  • Version / status:
  • Review by:
  • Next step:

Next Step

  • Review result
  • Mark open questions
  • Schedule review or decision
Template base

Gap Analysis Working Template

View templateCompact working template for Gap Analysis with current state, target state, gaps, causes, and actions.
spreadsheet

gap-analysis-working-template.md

Compact working template for Gap Analysis with current state, target state, gaps, causes, and actions.

Gap Analysis Working Template

Goal

Compare the current state with the target state and derive the most important gaps.

Context

When and for what do we use this method?

Input

Which data, observations, decisions, or materials are available?

Working area

  • Current state:
  • Target state:
  • Gaps:
  • Causes:
  • Priorities:

Output artifacts

  • Gap list:
  • Action options:
  • Prioritized next steps:

Open questions

  • ...

Next step

Owner, date, and success signal.

Ready to use when
  • Working question, owner, and target artifact are visible.
  • The result fits Gap Matrix.
  • Store the matrix with date and scope. When the target state changes, create a new version and mark old gaps as completed, dropped, or superseded.
  • Open questions are noted as follow-ups.
  • The next review or decision point is scheduled.
ProfileRunsheet