An affinity chart/diagram helps to synthesize large amounts of data by finding relationships between ideas. The information is structured from the bottom up into meaningful groups. The chart can be used to draw out common themes from a large amount of information, discover previously unseen connections between various ideas or information, or brainstorm root causes and solutions to a problem. The power of the affinity chart/diagram is its ability to find common threads that link groups of ideas together.
Steps to create an affinity chart/diagram:
- Post issue or scenario in the room
- Brainstorm
- Post output for all to see
- Group ideas into natural groupings
- Label each group
- Document finished chart/diagram
