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Identify Critical Skills Gaps: Spot the Capabilities Holding Your Teams Back --- And Bridge Them with Confidence

TL;DR: What this template does

This template analyzes performance feedback and development conversations to identify core skills gaps across your workforce.
Upload the data, and receive a dashboard showing the most urgent missing competencies by role or team.

Why you can't grow what you don't measure

If your teams are falling short, the problem might not be attitude — it might be capability.

This template helps you see where upskilling is needed most, with real language from your managers and employees.

Definition: Skills gaps are missing competencies, behaviors, or knowledge areas that limit performance or future readiness — extracted from qualitative feedback.

How does this template work?

Step 1: Upload Performance or Development Feedback
  • Use manager reviews, 1:1 summaries, career planning docs
  • Accepts text, audio, or video
  • Best with inputs across functions, levels, or regions
Step 2: Analyze — Training & Development Grid
  • AI detects missing or weak competencies
  • Tags gaps by type: leadership, technical, operational, communication
  • Highlights urgency and emotional tone (confidence, frustration)
Step 3: Output — Skills Gap Dashboard
  • Ranked list of critical skill gaps by role/team
  • Quotes for context + suggested learning directions
  • Exportable for HR, enablement, or strategic workforce planning

What benefits does this template provide?

BenefitDescriptionImpact
Prioritize DevelopmentFocus L&D spend where the need is urgentMaximize learning ROI
Support Career GrowthEmpower teams with clear growth pathsIncrease internal mobility
Enable Role DesignMap needs into future job descriptionsBuild agile talent infrastructure
Build Workforce ReadinessPrep teams for future business demandsReduce resourcing risk

How do different teams use this template?

HRBPs + People Ops — Enable proactive skill planning
L&D Teams — Design programs that close real gaps
Department Heads — Understand blockers to team performance
Workforce Planners — Align training to future talent strategy

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this overlap with training needs?
Not exactly — this focuses on missing ability, not just learning demand.
Can I use this to plan team development programs?
Absolutely. It provides you with a clear understanding of the skill gaps that need addressing, allowing you to tailor team-wide or individualized training programs accordingly.
Can I track changes over time?
Yes — quarterly runs help you measure progress and pivot plans.

What Teams Are Saying

“We now have a skills heatmap by department — grounded in real manager conversations. It’s changed how we allocate L&D budget.”


— Sean Withford, Founder & Director, Eloquent

Want to close your most critical capability gaps before they cost you?