Gap Analysis

EPA Regions 9 & 10

and
The Federal Network for Sustainability
 Objectives
After this discussion, you should be able to:
• Describe the purpose of a gap analysis
• Find a list of questions for conducting a gap
analysis

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 Overview
• Definition
• Purpose of a gap analysis
• Steps in a gap analysis

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 Definition
A gap analysis is a process used to assess the
current state of your facility’s EMS. Other
similar processes are “initial environmental
reviews (IERs)” or “environmental
management system reviews (EMRs).”

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 Purpose of a Gap Analysis
• Identify gaps between your current
management systems and the EMS standard
• Collect policies, procedures, programs,
metrics, and personnel that support the
current EMS
• Establish a list of actions to achieve
conformance with the standard

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Conducting a Gap Analysis
• Analysts must be familiar with EMS
framework
• Allow several days to complete data
collection
• Prepare a summary report and provide to
participants

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 Steps in a Gap Analysis
• Facility walk-through
• Document review
• Staff interviews
• Identify and document gaps

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 Facility Walk Through
• Identify Activities, Products, and Services
– Main reason for facility’s existence
– Support activities
• Develop Comprehensive Picture of Facility
– Maps
– Pictures
– Lists of buildings and organizations

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 Document Review
• Environmental policy statements
• Other policy statements
• Mission statements
• SOPs
• Position descriptions
• Environmental plans (HW, P2, INRMP,
SPCC, STORMWATER, AS-BUILT, etc)
• Training materials
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 Staff Interviews

• Identify organizational structure

• Identify requirements to fulfill mission
• Determine awareness of staff of EMS
• Awareness of environmental programs and
goals

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Identify and Document Gaps
• Compare with EMS elements
• Make a list of specific actions
to close gaps

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 Summary
• Gap analysis is a good way to “jump start”
your EMS
• Gap analysis helps create a list of actions
for the EMS team

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