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Affinity Diagram 1

The affinity diagram is a tool used to organize ideas and information into logical groupings. It involves brainstorming individual ideas, sorting them into categories without discussion, and agreeing on category titles. This allows for patterns and relationships between ideas to be identified. The affinity diagram can be used for problem solving, design, and quality improvement processes. An example is provided of a candy shop using this tool to organize customer attributes for different candy types into categories like size, price, and variety.

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Ahmed M. Hashim
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61 views2 pages

Affinity Diagram 1

The affinity diagram is a tool used to organize ideas and information into logical groupings. It involves brainstorming individual ideas, sorting them into categories without discussion, and agreeing on category titles. This allows for patterns and relationships between ideas to be identified. The affinity diagram can be used for problem solving, design, and quality improvement processes. An example is provided of a candy shop using this tool to organize customer attributes for different candy types into categories like size, price, and variety.

Uploaded by

Ahmed M. Hashim
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PROBLEM SOLVING TOOL

QUALITY TOOLS
Affinity Diagram

Description of Affinity diagram: The affinity diagram, also known as the KJ method
was developed by Dr. Kawakita Jiro. This diagram gathers together items, needs or
features of similar types. It is applied in conjunction with cause-effect diagram for quality
design and quality improvement processes.

When to use a Affinity diagram: The affinity diagram method is a technique that an
individual or team can apply for problem solving as well as idea generation and design. It
is particularly useful for solving unfamiliar or complex problems. It is similar to the mind
mapping technique in that one generates ideas that link up to other ideas to form
patterns/chain of related thoughts. This process takes many items, needs or features and
sorts them into meaningful groups. It can be applied during the analysis stage of a six
sigma improvement process. It can be widely used in the planning stage of a problem to
organize the ideas and information. It organizes and categorizes items and provides a
good visual of independent variables.

How to use a Affinity diagram:

Steps to create:

1) Brainstorm ideas:
a) Set a time limit
b) Record each idea on adhesive notes or 3X5 cards
c) Clarify ideas and eliminate duplicates
2. Display the unsorted ideas on a table or stick them on a wall.
3. Sort the ideas into like groups; do this without speaking, based on individual
perception.
a) Arrange ideas into meaningful categories of “like issues”.
b) If one person does not like the placement of an idea, he or she can move it.
c) If one idea seems to belong in more than one place, make a duplicate card.
d) Continue sorting until a consensus is reached; aim for 5 to 10 groups.
e). Consider breaking large groups into smaller ones.
4. Create a title or heading for each category.
5).Transfer the group into an organized affinity diagram.
6) Discuss groupings and understand how they relate to each other; if necessary,
move items to complete a concensus affinity diagram.

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Application of Affinity diagram: Example. Through brainstorming, a candy shop
identified the various attributes customers would like to see in their products. Each idea
was written on a post it note and placed on the board. Three categories were assigned.

Lollipops Chocolates Assorted

Size Cocoa content Variety

Color Size Price

Taste Price Availability

Price Variety Color

References:
Juran Quality Handbook Sixth Edition: Joseph M Juran; Joseph A. De Feo
CQE Primer Sixth Edition - Quality Council of Indiana

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