How to create an affinity diagram

Japanese anthropologist Kawakita Jiro in the 1960s developed affinity diagrams as a way to organize overwhelming ideas and information. The affinity diagram is a convenient tool to use after a successful brainstorming session which left you with a great many ideas that are scattered and non-connected.

The key to using this tool is by organizing these scattered ideas by their running themes, patterns, or categories.  By grouping these ideas, you are making it easier for your brain to process information.

How to use an affinity diagram

1. Go to the Ideation tab and click Brainstorming. Write down ideas on the sticky notes or create floating topics.

2. Sort ideas into groups with similar themes, attributes, properties, or anything that is relatable.  Note that all ideas may not fit in any group.

3. Come up with a short title for the group which describes the essence of similarities.  You are basically creating a category.

How to group ideas

1. Select the topics that belong within a group

2. Press the Shift key and click on the empty background.

3. Add a name that describes the group the best.

Note: Input field for the group topic will show up depending on where you click on the background.