In plain English
It refers to a shortfall between current capability and what is needed. The focus is on knowledge, skills, and abilities, and the comparison is made against what is required or expected for a specific job, task, or level of performance.
In context
Here, it names an identified shortfall between the knowledge, skills, and abilities currently present and those expected for the role or performance level under discussion.
- Situation
- Setting goals, receiving feedback, completing reviews, and discussing performance
- What it communicates
- names a development issue identified after the performance discussion.
Meaning limits
By itself, the term does not say why the difference exists or how large or urgent it is.
Examples
“The audit showed a competency gap between the staff's current skills and the level needed for the task.”
“When supervisors compared her work with the standard for the role, they identified a competency gap in written communication.”