Affinity Diagram - Organizational Tool

The affinity diagram is a configured yield derived from a brainstorming session aimed at generating new ideas. The Affinity Diagram is an administrative tool whose purpose is to plan and arrange proceedings. The term Affinity Diagram was developed during the 1960s by Kawakita Jiro and is otherwise called the KJ method.

An affinity diagram is necessary in order to create, sort, and merge data concerning a problem, process, item or any other complex issue. When developing an affinity diagram, you will be conducting an exercise of communicating your thoughts with your counterparts with having to quantify them thus encouraging participants to be more creative.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The affinity diagram is designed to aid a group in building up its own arrangement when pondering over an issue and its complexities. At any phase where it needs to produce and sort out a lot of data the group, can utilize it to outline its strategy. The affinity diagram is adaptable in its application. Whereas, a group of directors may utilize the it during a key strategic planning session as a sorting tool for gathering their considerations and thoughts. While on the other hand, a project management team can utilize it to break down the variations and causes of the complexities in a project. An affinity diagram is for adding structure to breaking down into broad categories and gaining agreement on a large or complex issue and it is very easy to setup and utilize.

In the following paragraph I will demonstrate what an affinity diagram looks like. Our example will model a manufacturing plant that has as of late extended its business and, opened a new and bigger factory. With the new factory Various issues have also emerged with regards to implementing quality management at the plant, the management team engaged with the factory, has met to examine the issues. Due to the complex nature of the issues involved in such an instance, management has an option to an Affinity diagram to map their strategy around the issue.

Utilize an affinity diagram when dealing with large or complex data which is uncertain, disorganized and overpowering (complex issues frequently feel overpowering because of their size), the issue requires the contribution and backing of a group (The procedure a group subjects itself to when creating an affinity diagram enables the gathered group to create its own methodological thinking concerning the issue and reach a consensus).

 

When creating an affinity diagram, it is advisable for the group to pick a facilitator who will be liable for driving the group through the steps to making an affinity diagram. Having an experienced facilitator who is familiar with the affinity diagram and can help the group get the most out of its session is also beneficial.

Prior the commencement of the brainstorming session, the group should express the complexity or issue that needs addressing. It’s a good idea to always tackle the issue by phrasing it as a question. In our example, the question is, "What are the obstacles in implementing total quality management in an organization?" Ensuring that the group is able to comprehend the reason for the session is absolutely essential and should never be overlooked.

Once the abovementioned step has been completed and all participants are on the same page, you can go ahead and start working on your affinity Diagram and conceptualizing your thoughts concerning the proclaimed issue. There are two main methods to approaching this process, the first being the traditional brainstorming method and the second is called or known as the Crawford slip method.

In conventional conceptualizing method, the participants will come up with ideas individually, which they will in turn voice and share with rest of the group. Every individual in the group gives their thoughts until nobody has anything else to include.

While in the Crawford slip technique, each individual records their ideas on paper slips, sticky notes, or index cards. In this method however, the individuals do not voice their ideas, they write them down and keep going until they have nothing else to add. There is no verbal trade

Conceptualizing with regards to the affinity diagram utilizes a blend of these two methodologies.

This article is written to aid you in understanding what is an affinity diagram and its application therein, to use the affinity diagram visit the Business Own Corporation MIND Repository and gain access to a wide variety of brainstorming forms and worksheets.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

The affinity diagram is a business apparatus used to compose thoughts and information. Individuals have been gathering information into bunches dependent on common connections for a huge number of years.

The apparatus is usually utilized inside undertaking the executives and permits huge quantities of thoughts coming from conceptualizing to be arranged into gatherings, in view of their common connections, for audit and examination. It is additionally much of the time utilized in relevant request as an approach to sort out notes and bits of knowledge from field interviews. It can likewise be utilized for sorting out other freestyle remarks, for example, open-finished overview reactions, bolster call logs, or other subjective information.