Affinity Diagram

An affinity diagram represents the structured outcome of a brainstorming session. It is recognized as one of the seven management tools used for planning. This diagram was developed in the 1960s by Kawakita Jiro and is commonly referred to as the KJ method.

The main goal of an affinity diagram is to create, arrange, and integrate information related to a product, process, complex issue, or problem. Building an affinity diagram is a creative task that displays ideas without measuring them.

An affinity diagram assists a group in forming its own understanding of a complex issue or problem. A team can use an affinity diagram at any point when they need to generate and arrange a substantial amount of information. For instance, members of a leadership team might use this diagram during strategic planning to organize their thoughts and ideas. Alternatively, an improvement team can employ the diagram to examine the common causes of variation in their project. The diagram is versatile in its use and is straightforward to implement.

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