Which analysis tool measures information changes over a specific period?

Trend analysis is a powerful tool used to assess and interpret data changes over a designated timeframe. This method focuses on identifying patterns or trends within a dataset by reviewing historical performance metrics, statistical data, or other relevant indicators. By examining these trends, an organization can gain insights into how certain variables evolve, helping to inform decisions or predict future outcomes.

For instance, in a support center context, trend analysis may be utilized to monitor the volume of support requests over months or years, allowing managers to recognize seasonal spikes or declines. This understanding can lead to proactive staffing adjustments or improved resource management.

In contrast, the other tools serve different purposes. Gap analysis evaluates the disparity between current performance and desired performance, SWOT analysis assesses strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within an organization, and portfolio analysis examines the distribution and balance of investments or projects to optimize performance. Each of these analyses has its unique focus, but trend analysis specifically centers on changes in data over time, making it the appropriate choice in this scenario.