#AFFINITY DIAGRAMS HOW TO#

Also, if a participant doesn’t agree with the placement of an idea, they should feel free to move it. If one idea doesn’t fit with any of the others, it’s okay to leave it as a stand-alone. This should be done in silence so that participants don’t bias each other and smother natural instincts. Without speaking to each other, everyone moves the sticky notes so that similar items are grouped together. Also, because you are using Lucidchart, you don’t have to worry about running out of sticky notes.ģ. This allows everyone to contribute ideas openly without fear of being shut down. No ideas should be thrown out, and participants should not be limited to a certain number of ideas. Multiple participants can edit the document in real-time without overriding another participant’s changes. Have participants record their ideas on virtual sticky notes underneath the title question. For example, “How can we improve time management at the office?” Share your document with all participants and grant them editing access.Ģ. The challenge should be written in the form of a question. Open a new Lucidchart document and title it with your challenge. Most people use sticky notes, markers, and a big blank wall, but all you really need is Lucidchart.

#AFFINITY DIAGRAMS HOW TO#

How to create an affinity diagramĪffinity mapping is simple. The theory of affinity diagrams is to harness natural creativity by facilitating an environment where everyone has a voice, conflict is minimized, and gut reactions are favored over analysis.

Organize the results of a brainstorming session.Affinity diagrams are ideal for sorting large amounts of data or long lists of ideas into related groups. Open the template Learn more What is an affinity diagram?įormalized in the 1960s by Japanese anthropologist Jiro Kawakita, affinity diagrams can also be referred to as affinity charts, affinity maps, or the KJ method.