Web Development & Design Gap Analysis:
DEFINING THE DESIRED FUTURE STATE
The second step in web development and design gap analysis focuses on defining the desired future state, what success should look like. This means setting clear goals for performance, outlining the capabilities needed, and aligning with evolving audience expectations and market trends. By establishing a measurable and strategic vision, this step provides a clear target for improvement and guides all future web development and design efforts toward achieving meaningful business outcomes. To achieve these, web[i] engages with its clients in the following processes:
Identifying Target Website Performance Metrics
For example: Faster page load times, higher conversion rates, improved search engine rankings, and increased user engagement.
Defining New Capabilities or Design Improvements Needed
For example: Fesponsive layouts, enhanced accessibility, advanced analytics integration, personalized user experiences, or streamlined navigation.
Clarifying Expectations, Benchmarks, and Trends
For example: What do your users expect in terms of speed, usability, and aesthetics; how does your site compare to industry-leading websites; and what are the latest design, UX, and technology trends shaping your sector.
According to BABOK®, this aligns with the goal of determining what your brand wants to become and what changes are required to realize your business value. In a web development and design context, this step gives direction and focus to future initiatives by making the desired state measurable, strategic, and actionable, providing a clear target for closing the gap.