Analyze the gap between current state and specification to identify all required changes. Use when: (1) After SPEC phase in 5D-SDD workflow, (2) Spec exists and implementation is about to begin, (3) User asks 'what needs to change' or 'what's the delta,' (4) Assessing scope of work. This phase prevents surprise discoveries during implementation.
View on GitHubskills/5d-gap-analysis/SKILL.md
February 1, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/tapania/5d-skills/blob/main/skills/5d-gap-analysis/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill 5d-gap-analysisInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/5d-gap-analysis/# GAP ANALYSIS Phase Identify everything that must change to implement the spec. ## Multi-Quadrant Gap Analysis ### 1. Code Gaps (Individual Outer) Compare spec to current implementation: - New components needed - Existing components requiring modification - Components to deprecate/remove - New dependencies to add Output: List of concrete code changes. ### 2. Knowledge Gaps (Individual Inner) Identify what must be learned: - Unfamiliar technologies in spec - Domain knowledge needed - Patterns/approaches to research Output: Learning tasks before or during implementation. ### 3. System Gaps (Collective Outer) Identify infrastructure/tooling needs: - New services or environments - CI/CD changes - Monitoring/observability additions - Database migrations Output: Infrastructure tasks. ### 4. Alignment Gaps (Collective Inner) Identify communication needs: - Stakeholders who need to review spec - Teams affected by changes - Documentation updates needed - Training or handoff required Output: Alignment tasks. ## Gap Assessment Process 1. **Read the spec thoroughly** 2. **Examine current codebase** (if exists) 3. **For each spec item:** Does current state satisfy it? If no, document the gap. 4. **Categorize gaps** by quadrant 5. **Estimate complexity** for each gap: trivial / moderate / complex / unknown ## Additional 5D Checks ### Thinking Level Gaps (Depth) - Are any gaps caused by Level 2 (dogmatic) thinking in the spec? - Do gaps require Level 3+ thinking to resolve (holding contradictions)? - Where might we be defending assumptions rather than solving problems? ### Skill Dependency Gaps (Height) - What capabilities are missing that block multiple gaps? - Which gap, if resolved, would unlock others? - What learning is prerequisite to implementation? ### Time Pattern Gaps - What historical patterns predict where gaps will appear? - Are we repeating mistakes from past projects? - What must we "transcend and include" from current approaches? ### Identi