Affinity Diagram: How is it made?

1. Choose a facilitator.
The facilitator is responsible for leading the group through the steps to make the affinity diagram. It is beneficial to have a facilitator experienced in making affinity diagrams.

2. State the issue or problem.
Before beginning, the group should state the issue or problem to be addressed. It is often useful to state the problem in the form of a question. In the example, the question is, “What are the problems associated with our expansion into retail outlets?” It is essential that the group understands the aim of the session.

3. Brainstorm and record ideas.
Next, brainstorm ideas concerning the issue statement. Brainstorming for ideas to make an affinity diagram uses a mixture of traditional brainstorming and the Crawford slip method. In traditional brainstorming, individuals generate ideas, which they voice in turn. Ideas are given by each person in the group until no one has anything else to add. In the Crawford slip method, ideas are recorded on index cards, slips of paper, or sticky notes, in silence. There is no verbal exchange. Brainstorming for the affinity diagram uses a mixture of these two approaches.

The above article is an excerpt from the "Affinity Diagram " chapter of Practical Tools for Continuous Improvement Volume 2 Statistical Tools. This reference book is available from PQ Systems.