What Is an Affinity Diagram?
What Is an Affinity Diagram?
An Affinity Diagram is a tool used to organize ideas or data into groups based on similarity.
It helps make sense of large, unstructured information like brainstorming notes or user feedback by clustering related items together.
It’s great for finding patterns, improving collaboration, and making informed decisions.
When to Use an Affinity Diagram
After brainstorming
To organize scattered ideas.
During problem-solving
To identify root causes.
When analyzing feedback
To group customer comments or survey responses.
For project planning
To sort tasks, risks, or features.
After research
To make sense of UX or market research findings.
To build consensus
When teams need clarity on complex or messy topics.
How to Create an Affinity Diagram (KJ Method)
Gather Ideas
Collect input from brainstorming, feedback, or research. Write each idea on a separate sticky note or digital card.
Display the Ideas
Place all the notes on a board or wall physically or using digital tools like Miro or MURAL.
Group Similar Ideas
Without talking too much, silently start grouping related ideas based on natural connections.
Label the Groups
Once clusters form, give each group a clear, short title that summarizes the theme.
Review & Discuss
Go through the groups with your team, refine them if needed, and use the insights to make decisions or take action.
Affinity Diagram vs. Other Frameworks
| Framework | Purpose | Structure Type | Best Used For | Key Difference from Affinity Diagram |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Affinity Diagram | Organize ideas by natural relationships | Cluster-based (non-linear) | Brainstorming, feedback analysis, finding patterns | Focuses on grouping similar, unstructured ideas |
| Mind Map | Explore and visualize related concepts | Hierarchical (central idea) | Planning, note-taking, creative thinking | Starts with one central idea and branches outward |
| Flowchart | Show step-by-step process or decision paths | Sequential (linear or branching) | Process mapping, workflows, system design | Emphasizes order and flow, not idea grouping |
| Concept Map | Show relationships between concepts | Networked (connected nodes) | Knowledge organization, learning | Shows explicit links between concepts, not clusters |
Common Mistakes & Pro Tips
Common Mistakes:
Grouping too fast: Rushing leads to poor connections between ideas.
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Talking during sorting: Conversations can bias groupings.
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Skipping labels: Without labels, it's hard to understand the clusters later.
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Ignoring outliers: Unique ideas may hold valuable insights.
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Overcrowding groups: Too many ideas in one group causes confusion.
Pro Tips:
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Sort silently: Keep the process neutral and focused.
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Find natural patterns: Let ideas connect organically.
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Label clearly: Helps with clarity and later reference.
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Consider outliers: They might lead to new solutions.
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Split big groups: Smaller clusters are easier to analyze.
Digital Tools for Affinity Mapping
Miro:
A collaborative online whiteboard with ready-made affinity diagram templates and real-time teamwork features.
MURAL:
Great for remote brainstorming; offers sticky notes, grouping, and voting tools for organizing ideas visually.
Lucidspark:
A flexible whiteboard from Lucidchart; ideal for teams wanting to connect visuals with flowcharts and diagrams.
Microsoft Whiteboard:
Simple and integrated with Microsoft 365, perfect for basic grouping and collaboration.
FAQs
Yes! It’s great for organizing thoughts, planning goals, or making big decisions.
Related Glossary Terms
MoSCoW Prioritization
A prioritization method that categorizes tasks or features into Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won’t have to help teams focus on what matters most.
Action Priority Matrix
A decision-making tool that helps you prioritize tasks by mapping them based on impact and effort, making it easier to choose high-value actions.
Minimum Viable Product
A Minimum Viable Product is the simplest version of a product that includes just enough features to satisfy early users and gather feedback for future development.
