Gap assessment as a tool for Employer Wellness Program improvement

A gap analysis is an assessment tool that enables a organization to compare its current capabilities and performance with industry benchmarks and expectations for performance. A gap analysis is used to identify areas that have room for improvement.

Gap analysis can also be used for your Employer Wellness Program to determine where the program stands now and how the Employer Wellness Program can better follow evidence-based recommendations.

To start a gap analysis, ask these simple questions about your Employee Wellness Program:
• What is the current state of the Employee Wellness Program?
• How does the Employer Wellness Program measure up to evidence-based practices? (i.e., the desired state)

The gap is the difference between the current and desired states.

After the gap has been identified, the next step is to determine the action steps that are needed to close the gap. These actions answer the question: “How can the Employer Wellness Program move forward towards the desired state?”

Sometimes the gaps that need to be filled can be addressed through Employer Wellness Program changes; other gaps might require policy changes. However, using a gap analysis will help you identify areas for Employer Wellness Program improvement and the actions needed to make progress towards those goals.