Final answer:
Gap analysis serves the strategic orientation strategy, helping organizations assess their current state compared to desired outcomes and determine actions needed to achieve strategic goals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Undertaking a gap analysis primarily serves the strategic orientation strategy. It involves evaluating the current state of a company or organization against its desired future state, identifying areas of performance that do not meet the desired outcomes and determining the necessary steps to reach those outcomes.
The process of gap analysis includes assessing actions taken without a coherent plan, addressing challenges in creating a strategic roadmap, considering potential future societies, and predicting the likely consequences of ongoing changes.
A gap analysis is also useful in understanding what others are doing to address similar needs and deciding whether to build upon existing work or forge a new path. It takes into account the values shifts and the necessity for flexibility in uncertainty, which can influence strategic decisions and planning. Lastly, it can help in analyzing intertemporal choices and understanding why individuals and organizations make certain economic decisions.