Performance Gap Analysis: Human Performance Improvement

Proposing any performance or training solutions requires rigorous analysis based on data, not speculation. Conducting a front-end analysis—a process for determining why a perceived performance gap exists and how to close the gap—enables workplace learning and performance professionals to find successful solutions.

Although front-end analysis takes more time initially, identifying the true underlying causes of a problem and applying the right targeted solution the first time will yield a better return-on-investment.

This Infoline describes how to carry out the two distinct analysis processes that go into a front-end analysis: a gap (or performance) analysis and root cause analysis. The first process determines if a performance problem exists. The second process identifies the true root cause of the issue. Helpful sidebars explain the analysis sequence, when to conduct a gap analysis, how to define performance gaps without bias, and factors that influence performance. In addition, the job aid provides a checklist of questions for a training needs analysis.

This title is aligned with the ASTD Competency Model Area of Expertise #3--Improving Human Performance.

About the Author

Maren Franklin is a performance consultant at Scottsdale Insurance Company. She has worked in training and development for 14 years, with an emphasis on performance improvement and instructional design. She holds a B.S. in Organizational Communications and an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from Arizona State University.