Capability gap analysis is a structured comparison between the capabilities an organization currently has and the capabilities it needs to meet a defined operational, quality, business, or technology objective. In manufacturing, it commonly looks at people, processes, equipment, systems, data, governance, and supporting controls.
The analysis identifies gaps such as missing operator skills, incomplete system functionality, weak data integration, insufficient process controls, or unclear ownership. It is often used during MES, ERP, PLM, quality system, automation, or digital transformation planning to determine what must change before a target operating model can be achieved.
A capability gap is not the same as a single performance issue. A performance issue may show that a metric is below target, while capability gap analysis examines the underlying ability to perform the work reliably. It is also broader than a skills gap analysis, which focuses mainly on workforce knowledge or training needs.