How to produce an Affinity Diagram

An Affinity diagram is used to organize/group various sets of data such as ideas, opinions, issues, facts etc.

Using affinity diagrams helps determine relationships between the data and helps develop a framework. Similar issues are grouped together and the results are used to consider next steps/actions.

Another significant benefit of affinity diagrams is that they is traditionally a team based tool and it allows people (the project team) to collaborate in high level data analysis.

Inputs to affinity diagrams may be as a result of customer interviews or assessments or project team brainstorming and is useful early on in the project planning phase as it helps to assess information about the project that may not yet be well organized or structured.

Steps in producing an Affinity Diagram

* Gather data raised from brainstorming, interviews or other (data can include ideas, opinions, issues, facts etc)
* Using “sicky notes” place data/issues on a display board
* The project team should now group the sticky notes on the display board into logical groups
* Name each group
* Review results