Content
The affinity diagram is a business tool used to organize ideas and data. It is one of the Seven Management and Planning Tools . People have been grouping data into groups based on natural relationships for years; However, the term affinity was devised by Jiro Kawakita in the 1960s [1] and is sometimes referred to as the KJ Method .
The tool is widely used within the framework of management and allows for large numbers of ideas stemming from brainstorming [2] to be released in groups, based on their natural relationships, for review and analysis. [3] It is also frequently used in contextual inquiry as a way to organize notes and insights from field interviews. It can also be used for organizing other freeform comments, such as open-ended survey responses, support call logs, or other qualitative data.
Process
The affinity diagram with the following steps:
- Record each idea on cards or notes.
- Look for ideas that seem to be related.
- Sort cards into groups until all cards have been used.
Once the cards have been released, they can be used for large groups of subgroups for easier management and analysis. [4] Once completed, the affinity diagram can be used to create a cause and effect diagram . [5]
In many cases, the best results are achieved when the activity is completed by a cross-functional team, including key stakeholders. The process requires to be deeply immersed in the data, which has benefits beyond the tangible deliverables.
References
- Jump up^ Improving Performance Through Statistical Thinking By Galen C. Britz
- Jump up^ Affinity Diagram – Kawakita Jiro or KJ Method, Retrieved June 6, 2010
- Jump up^ Using Affinity Diagrams to make sense of brainstorming
- Jump up^ Value: Its Measurement, Design and Management By M. Larry Shillito
- Jump up^ NHS Improvement network