Which analysis method would be MOST useful in developing recovery time objectives?

The most useful analysis method for developing recovery time objectives is business impact analysis (BIA). BIA is designed to assess the potential effects of an interruption to critical business operations, identifying the resources and processes essential for the organization’s survival. Specifically, it evaluates the impact on the business in terms of revenue loss, reputation damage, legal obligations, and other time-sensitive concerns, which directly informs the setting of recovery time objectives.

By understanding how long an organization can afford to be down before significant harm occurs, BIA helps establish clear and measurable recovery time objectives that align with the organization’s operational priorities. It provides insight into which processes should be prioritized for restoration after a disruption and helps in formulating recovery strategies.

Other analysis methods, while helpful in their own contexts, do not focus specifically on recovery time objectives. Gap analysis is more about assessing the difference between current state and desired state, regression analysis relates to estimating relationships among variables, and risk analysis concentrates on identifying and assessing risks rather than on determining recovery timelines. Therefore, BIA stands out as the most relevant method for directly setting recovery time objectives.