Morphological Gap - Analysis Using GMA to find the

Gap-analysis is the process of structuring and comparing two different situations or states in order to determine the difference or “gap” that exists between them. Once the “gap” is understood – and possibly also the “distance” between the states measured or otherwise assessed – it may then be possible to identify the steps or processes required to bridge the gap. General Morphological Analysis (GMA) is a non-quantified modelling method that employs a process and a spatial format that makes gap-analyses intrinsic. This article will summarise GMA and give examples of how it can be used as a computer based gap-analysis support method. The examples concern 1) an organisational change model, 2) a model for assessing preparedness requirements for rescue services and 3) a knowledge management tool for identifying the gaps between knowledge bases and knowledge requirements.