AFFINITY DIAGRAM

What is Affinity Diagram?

Its

a tool that gathers large amounts of language data. Language data may be ideas, opinions, issues. Then these language data are organized to groups based on their natural relationships.

Why?
Good

way to get people to work on a creative level to address difficult issues. Used in situations that are unknown or unexplored by a team In circumstances that seem confusing or disorganized, such as when people with diverse experiences form a new team, or when members have incomplete knowledge of the area of analysis

When to use and when to not ?

To

be used when: Sift through large volumes of data. Encourage new patterns of thinking. Not be used when: - Less than 15 items of information have been identified, affinity process can be skipped.

Creating an Affinity Diagram

Step 1 - Generate ideas
Spontaneous

Thinking and generation of ideas

Step 2 - Display ideas

Displaying

the ideas so that everyone in the group can

see

Step 3 - Sort ideas into groups

2

ideas that relate in some way

Ideas

that relate to the ones that are already set aside and add to that group new groups

Form

Loners

can stand alone

Step 4 - Create header cards

Header catches the essential idea amongst the group members Already existing cards that can serve as header Discussing and agreeing on a header Relating 2 or more groups and grouping under SUPERHEADER

Step 5 - Draw finished diagram

Problem

statement at the top of the diagram Place header and superheader cards above groups Review and clarify groupings Document the finished Affinity Diagram

EXAMPLE
Timely

pizza delivery problem. Problems faced in delivering the pizza in time

Generating and displaying ideas

Forming affinity diagram after grouping and giving headers

Problems

faced in Timely Pizza Delivery

Conclusion:
It

requires team effort to be effective should be used when

It

Your

team has a large amount of information or ideas to sort through The answer or solution is not obvious to all The solution requires strong consensus amongst the team members

Conclusion:
Benefits: Breakthrough Builds

team work Causes connections to be discovered between various elements of information Builds critical thinking within the team Builds communication skills within the team Allows for full contribution of each team member

THANK YOU