Affinity Diagram

What is it?

The Affinity Diagram helps the team to develop its own system of thought about a complex issue or problem. It is an organized display of a team’s brainstorming session regarding a complex issue.

Why is the Affinity Diagram used?

This is a useful tool, especially if the team can answer yes to the following questions:

1. Is the problem (issue) complex and hard to understand?

2. Is the problem uncertain, disorganized or overwhelming?

3. Does the problem require the involvement and support of a group?

How is the Affinity Diagram used?

1. First, present the problem or issue. It may be helpful to present the problem statement in the form of a question

2. Then, brainstorm ideas concerning the problem statement. Brainstorming for ideas to make an affinity diagram uses a mixture of traditional and anonymous methods. Each person writes his or her idea on a note card while saying it out loud to the team.

3. Spread all the cards out on top of the table so every team member can see them. Team members walk around the table grouping the cards into like piles. Cards that are alike are said to have “mutual affinity.” It is important that the cards are grouped into like piles in silence.

Cards can be moved among piles any number of times. Cards that do not seem to fit into any pile may be grouped into a miscellaneous pile. Between seven and ten piles will usually emerge, however this is not a restriction. Grouping is finished when most of the team members are no longer moving cards from pile to pile.

4. Utilize team member discussion to name each pile with a header card. The facilitator reads all the cards in each pile aloud. The team then decides on the best name for the pile based on the content of the cards. Sometimes one of the cards in the pile becomes the header card. The facilitator then writes the name on a note card and places it on top of the pile. The name should be a phrase and not a single word.

5. Tape the note cards to a flipchart to display them. Position the header card at the top of the piles. Draw a circle or square around each group of like cards.

6. After the affinity diagram is displayed on the flip chart the team should discuss the piles and the individual items within the piles and examine ways in which they relate to the problem. The piles are studied to gain a better understanding of the problem.

The affinity diagram is useful for identifying major topics of concern relating to a problem. The process of brainstorming, grouping like cards, and naming the piles allows the team to participate in the identification of the components that make up an issue. This process allows team members to gain a better understanding of the problem.

Here is what an Affinity Diagram might look like:

Initial Question: What Questions Do You Have About Quality Management?

How To Implement?	Who are the Customers?	What is Quality & How is it measured?
How do you do it?	Who are our customers?	What's quality about?
How do we implement?	What are the needs of our patrons?	How do we evaluate quality?
How do you know when you get there?	Are all the parties involved in the process?	Can you have too much quality?
What’s the essential ingredient for implementation?	Will customers be shaping our institution?	How do we use quality to our advantage?
How do we incorporate QM?
Is QM really applicable?	How do we sell Quality Management?	Does QM apply to schools?
	How is information transferred?	How do you integrate TQM?
How do we change?	Where are the success stories?	What does quality in schools look like?
How do we motivate administrators?	Can you sell it to faculty?	Does it fit in to all disciplines?
How do we get people to use TQM?	How can wew convince K-12 it is not a fad?	What's the impact on curriculum?
How do we make change without hurting morale?	What are the pros and cons?	How will TQM affect the student?

Applications

What makes an effective teacher

Barriers to effective training

Features of an inviting classroom

How can creativity in the classroom be encouraged

How can the consolidated planning process be improved?