AFFINITY DIAGRAM A Visual Technique for Organizing Information (AKA: KJ ANALYSIS)

What is an Affinity Diagram? A tool that gathers large amounts of language data (ideas, opinions, issues) and organizes them into groupings based on their natural relationships.

When to Use the Affinity Process Sift through large volumes of data Encourage new patterns of thinking

Creating an Affinity Diagram Step1- Generate ideas Step 2 - Display ideas Step 3 - Sort ideas into groups Step4- Create header cards Step 5 - Draw finished diagram

Sorting Ideas Silently, the whole group works simultaneously, moving cards from the parking area into the main work area, as in Fig. 2. Cards that seem to be related in some way are put together (typically in columns). It is often useful to be creative in this grouping rather than using simple logical organization, as this can give new insights into the problem. If you disagree with someone, you can move their cards or make a duplicate (as can they). You can also add new cards as ideas occur to you.

What is a Header? An idea that captures the essential link among the ideas contained in a group of cards. Single card or post-it TM Phrase or sentence Clear meaning

Example from Washoe County Library

Drawing the Finished Affinity

NO TALKING! A key advantage of the Affinity Technique over Classic Brainstorming is that the generation and grouping of ideas is done SILENTLY.

What images/words should we use for our final exam banner? Silently… Generate ideas based on what you read and/or see from each other’s work. Sketch images and jot down phrases that jump out at you. Silently… Display ideas by legibly writing or drawing one idea per note (4-7 words per note). Put them into the parking space. Silently … Organize and sort everyone’s ideas into groups on your affinity page. Discuss and create header cards. Write labels that capture the essence of each cluster. Take a picture of your finished affinity diagram for your final. Determine which cluster to work from and sketch your proposed design.