Learning transpires in the relationships that shape an organisation, and the nature of them influences thecharacteristics of this learning. To realise learning objectives it is necessary to know how features thatinfluence relationships may be provided and manipulated. The aim of this paper is to present a model ofpreconditions that contributes to the nature of relationships in an organisation. The focus is to explorepreconditions contributing to the informal aspect of relationships. Another aim is to show that thesepreconditions also influence the formal aspect of relationships. The contribution is a model for studyingsome crucial preconditions related to learning in an organisation.