---
title: "Skill Gap Analysis"
description: "Systematic capability gap analysis: role inventory, four-dimensional competency assessment and the gap matrix as the planning foundation for the training programme."
sidebar:
  order: 1
  label: "Skill Gap Analysis"
source_url: "https://framework.stackit.cloud/adoption/cloud-empowerment/skill-gap-analysis/"
source_file: "docs/adoption/cloud-empowerment/skill-gap-analysis.mdx"
---

## Why skill gap analysis comes before training planning

Without a skill gap analysis, the result is a one-size-fits-all training programme that is too specific for some and too general for others. The analysis provides the foundation for role-specific learning paths and realistic training budgets.

## Step 1: Role inventory

A complete inventory of all IT roles and their cloud requirements:

| Role domain                   | Typical positions                    | Cloud responsibilities                   | Number of people |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| **Platform Engineering**      | Sysadmins, platform engineers        | IaC, landing zone, managed services      | [number]         |
| **Application Development**   | Software developers, DevOps          | CI/CD, containers, cloud-native patterns | [number]         |
| **Security & Compliance**     | Security analysts, CISO office       | IAM, policy-as-code, DevSecOps           | [number]         |
| **Data & Analytics**          | Data engineers, BI analysts          | Managed databases, object storage        | [number]         |
| **Operations & SRE**          | IT operations, SRE                   | Observability, incident response         | [number]         |
| **FinOps & Controlling**      | IT controllers, procurement          | Cloud economics, tagging, showback       | [number]         |
| **Management & Architecture** | IT leadership, enterprise architects | Strategy, governance, cost ownership     | [number]         |

## Step 2: Four-dimensional competency assessment

Competencies are assessed in four fields on a 1–4 scale for each role domain:

**Rating scale:**

- **1 – No knowledge:** Has not yet worked with the technology
- **2 – Basic understanding:** Concepts known, no practical experience
- **3 – Practical experience:** Can work independently, with support
- **4 – Expert:** Can guide others, knows best practices

| Competency field          | Assessment questions                                               |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Cloud fundamentals**    | Cloud service categories, STACKIT portfolio, shared responsibility |
| **Technical skills**      | Writing IaC, operating Kubernetes, configuring networks            |
| **Security & compliance** | IAM concepts, least privilege, GDPR requirements                   |
| **Cloud economics**       | Cost models, tagging standards, optimisation levers                |

## Step 3: Gap matrix

The output of the assessment is a gap matrix — for each role domain the delta between current state and target competency:

| Role domain          | Cloud fundamentals     | Technical skills       | Security               | Economics              | Priority  |
| -------------------- | ---------------------- | ---------------------- | ---------------------- | ---------------------- | --------- |
| Platform Engineering | Current: 2 / Target: 4 | Current: 1 / Target: 4 | Current: 2 / Target: 3 | Current: 1 / Target: 2 | 🔴 High   |
| App Development      | Current: 2 / Target: 3 | Current: 2 / Target: 3 | Current: 1 / Target: 3 | Current: 1 / Target: 2 | 🔴 High   |
| Security             | Current: 2 / Target: 3 | Current: 1 / Target: 3 | Current: 2 / Target: 4 | Current: 1 / Target: 2 | 🟡 Medium |
| IT Operations        | Current: 2 / Target: 3 | Current: 2 / Target: 3 | Current: 2 / Target: 2 | Current: 1 / Target: 2 | 🟡 Medium |
| Controlling          | Current: 1 / Target: 2 | Current: 1 / Target: 1 | Current: 1 / Target: 1 | Current: 1 / Target: 3 | 🟡 Medium |
| Management           | Current: 1 / Target: 2 | Current: 1 / Target: 1 | Current: 1 / Target: 2 | Current: 1 / Target: 2 | 🟢 Low    |

## Assessment methods

**Option A: Self-assessment with calibration**
Each person rates themselves using the 1–4 scheme. The team lead then calibrates the assessments. Fast, but at risk of overestimation.

**Option B: Structured interview**
A CCoE member or external trainer conducts 30-minute interviews with one person per role domain. Representative, but not comprehensive.

**Option C: Technical assessment**
Short tasks (1–2 hours): write IaC, review an IAM policy, calculate a cost model. Objective, but time-intensive.

**Recommendation for most organisations:** Option A with team lead calibration for the initial assessment. After 6 months of training: Option C to measure progress.

## Output: Training plan as direct result

The gap matrix feeds directly into the training model:

- Red priority → Tracks C/D as mandatory training, immediate sandbox access
- Yellow priority → Tracks B/C in the first 6 months
- Green priority → Track A mandatory, B/C optional