In the context of business analysis, how can a business analyst effectively utilize gap analysis, root cause analysis, and requirements elicitation to improve project outcomes?

A business analyst starts by doing a gap analysis to compare current processes with desired future states, spotting where the organization falls short. Then they perform root cause analysis on those gaps to find the underlying problems, such as a lack of training or outdated technology. With those causes understood, the analyst uses requirements elicitation to gather clear, stakeholder‑approved needs that directly address the root issues. This focused approach ensures the project scope is realistic, stakeholders are aligned, and risks are mitigated. For example, if a retail company’s sales reporting is slow, the analyst identifies the gap between real‑time data needs and the current system, discovers that legacy software is the root cause, and then elicits requirements for a new analytics platform that resolves the delay.