GAP analysis is a technique employed to understand the potentiality of the company in regard to its performance when compared to its present real performance. GAP analysis provides a future perspective of the development required for an organization. The GAP analysis associates the market potential to existing usage and the current organization’s potential. GAP analysis helps to determine the measures to be taken for the future growth and development of the company. “Determining the GAP between an organization’s current business practices (Management System) and the requirements of ISO 14001 is an important step in the planning, rationalization, development, and implementation process. It is important to rationally understand ISO 14001 requirements, identify where implementation will have the greatest impact, accurately determine the required resources, and formalize an implementation plan”.
The ISO 14001 thus helps in figuring out the requirements that will help the organization in reaching its full potential in the future. The ISO 14001 gives guidelines on generating environmental policy based on the functions, services, products, objectives, and targets of the company. The planning should be based on environmental aspects, regulatory requirements, objectives, and targets. The objectives and targets at any cost should not avoid any legal or other regulatory requirements. Documentation of objectives, targets, environmental policy, parts of the system, and its interrelation is asserted by ISO 14001, as it helps in review and updates and also in planning future changes required for growth. The frequency, type, nature, and extent of auditing and monitoring ensure the quality of the organization. Ensuring quality requires effective unbiased monitoring and auditing.