In discussing three different levels there are in dealing with the "gap" between the real and the ideal, Sister Hafen suggests that the best response to the gap of uncertainty is at level three, where we see both the real and the ideal, not only with our eyes wide open, but also with our ___________ wide open as well.

In essence, a gap analysis answers two questions: “What situation are we in? (the current state) and where do we expect to be? (a forward-looking statement).

A gap analysis can be known as gap-need analysis, needs analysis or even evaluation. Call it the way you want, the basic principle will always be the same: find solutions to problems that are slowing the performance of your business.

The process consists in examining the actual performance of your store, to later compare the results with the expected and/or potential and/or ideal performance. But this does not end here; It can also be done to evaluate your average results comparatively in relation to your industry, to find some performance gaps in relation to your competition.