Which analysis technique is critical for depicting the formal relationships in an organization?

The most appropriate choice for depicting the formal relationships in an organization is organization modeling. This technique involves creating a visual representation of the organization's structure, illustrating how different roles, departments, or units are interconnected.

Organization modeling helps stakeholders understand reporting lines, functional responsibilities, and relationships among various entities within the organization. By employing this technique, business analysts can clarify the formal hierarchy, communication pathways, and the alignment of processes with organizational objectives, ensuring that everyone involved has a shared understanding of how the organization operates.

Other analysis techniques mentioned may serve valuable purposes, but they do not specifically focus on the formal structural relationships in the same way. SWOT analysis, for example, is primarily used for assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats related to strategic planning, while stakeholder mapping focuses on identifying and analyzing relationships and influence among stakeholders rather than formal organizational relationships. Gap analysis investigates the differences between current and desired states in processes or capabilities, without directly addressing organizational structures.