text: i want to know what a gap analysis is?   the definition appears to be industry-specific.  here are two definitions, with appropriate links:  in information technology, gap analysis is the study of the differences between two different information systems or applications, often for the purpose of determining how to get from one state to a new state. a gap is sometimes spoken of as "the space between where we are and where we want to be." gap analysis is undertaken as a means of bridging that space. among the various methodologies used to perform gap analysis is idef, a group of methods used to create a model of a system, analyze the model, create a model of a desired version of the system, and to aid in the transition from one to the other.  or:  gap analysis is a scientific means for assessing to what extent native animal and plant species are being protected. it can be done at a state, local, regional, or national level.