Strategy
Capability Gap
Plain English
The gap between what you can do and what you need to do.
Definition
A glossaryCapabilityCapability refers to an organisation’s ability to perform a specific function or deliver a particular outcome.Open glossary term gap is the difference between the capabilities an organisation currently has and those it needs to achieve its goals.
In practice
Used to identify areas where investment, hiring, or glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term changes are required.
In context
Naming it changes the conversation from blame to procurement. The team is not underperforming; they have been asked to do something the organisation cannot yet do.
The reality
glossaryCapabilityCapability refers to an organisation’s ability to perform a specific function or deliver a particular outcome.Open glossary term gaps are often known but ignored until they become critical blockers.
Compared with
Capability Gap vs Skills Gap
A skills gap is missing expertise in people and can be hired or trained. A glossaryCapabilityCapability refers to an organisation’s ability to perform a specific function or deliver a particular outcome.Open glossary term gap can also come from glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term, tooling, or structure. Hiring into a structural gap frustrates the people you hired.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is a capability gap?
It is the difference between current glossaryCapabilityCapability refers to an organisation’s ability to perform a specific function or deliver a particular outcome.Open glossary term and required capabilities.
Why are capability gaps important?
They highlight where improvement or investment is needed.
How do you identify capability gaps?
By comparing current abilities with business goals.
How do you close a capability gap?
Through training, hiring, or improving glossarySystemA system is a collection of interconnected components that work together to achieve a specific function or outcome.Open glossary term and glossaryProcessA process is a defined sequence of steps used to achieve a specific outcome.Open glossary term.
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