Title

Facilitating Groups: Affinity Diagram

(CV2117, July 2024)
File
Publication File:
Summary

The affinity diagram is a tool for helping organize ideas, a complex issue or a situation. It is a process for groups as small as 5 and as large as 100.

Lead Author
Lead Author:
Jodi Bruns, Leadership and Civic Engagement Specialist
Availability
Availability:
Web only
Publication Sections

Steps for Affinity Diagram

  • Make introductions, and review the purpose of the meeting. State the question the participants are to generate ideas about. Write out the question/statement so everyone can see it.
  • Ask participants to generate ideas on sticky notes, one idea per note. Encourage people to write concise ideas in one to three words. (This is important when they post the ideas on the wall.) Give them five to six minutes for this task.
  • Invite participants to put their sticky notes on the wall, looking for similarities with others that are on the wall. It is OK to have “loners” during this process. Encourage participants to move sticky notes around until the best groupings emerge.

  • As a group, ask participants to develop a heading or category heading of a few concise words for each grouping of sticky notes. Combine groupings that seem similar, if appropriate.

    Affinity Diagram
    Photo Credit:
    Photo by Jan Brinn, Michigan State University Extension
    Affinity Diagram
    Affinity Diagram
    Affinity Diagram

Supplies Needed

  • 3x3 sticky notes (one color) for participants
  • 4x4 sticky notes (different color) for category/header names
  • Pens for participants

References:

Chang, R., & Niedzwiecki, M. (1993). "Continuous Improvement Tools: Volume 1: A Practical Guide to Achieve Quality Results (Quality Improvement)". Irvine, CA: Richard Change Associates, Inc.
Tague, N. (1995). The Quality Toolbox. Milwaukee, WI: ASQC Quality Press.