AFFINITY DIAGRAMS

Kenneth Crow
DRM Associates

© 2006 DRM Associates  All rights reserved. May be used with attribution. Other use prohibited.

An affinity diagram is used to organize a large amount of language data into groupings based on natural relationships between each item. It is created with the following steps:

1. Record on cards or “post-its”
2. Develop data dictionary of needs.
3. Eliminate obvious redundancy & re-state.
4. Spread on table or wall.
5. As a team, look for two items that seem related in some way and move cards together. Continue to organize cards into groupings that are related.
6. Select card or create statement that captures the meaning of the grouping.
7. Eliminate redundancy & re-state

An example of organizing customer requirements in an affinity diagram for a new digital camera is shown below.

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