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How to Use Affinity Diagrams (KJ Diagrams) in Brainstorming

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Kenneth, India

How to Use Affinity Diagrams (KJ Diagrams) in Brainstorming

I have been using the Affinity Diagram method for a long time now and this has proven to be a hit when it comes to selecting criteria and then categorizing ideas. It's participative, silent, quick and very effective. Another variant in brainstorming is using the 6 minus 1 thinking hats, just avoid the Devil's Advocate hat, this can be used in the concerns stage of Brainstorming.
 

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Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands
 

What is an Affinity Diagram?

The affinity diagram is a business tool used to organize ideas and data. This tool takes large amounts of disorganized data and information and enables one to organize it into groupings based on natural relationships. It was created in the 1960s by Japanese anthropologist Jiro Kawakita. It's also known as KJ Diagram.
The tool is used in project management and brainstorming and allows large numbers of ideas stemming to be sorted into groups for review and analysis.
Affinity diagram process:
1. Conduct a brainstorming meeting
2. Record each idea on cards or post-it-notes
3. Gather (glue) the post it notes / cards into a single place (e.g. a desk or wall)
4. Look for ideas that seem to be related
5. Sort cards into groups based on the teams thoughts until all cards have been used and the team is happy with the results.
6. Name each group with a description and write the name at the top of each group.
7. Once the cards have been sorted into groups the team may discuss the groups and how they are related and sort clusters into subgroups for easier management and analysis.

 
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Henrique Steinberg
Management Consultant, Brazil
 

The KJ Brainstorming Methodology

I searched for KJ (a group brainstorming methodology by Jiro Kawakita (hence KJ - the Japanese put t... Sign up

 
1
Jaap de Jonge
Editor, Netherlands
 

KJ Backgound, KJ Process Steps

In the 1960s, Professor Jiro Kawakita of Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a technique to allo... Sign up

 

More on Brainstorming:
Summary
Discussion Topics
topic Start Brainstorming Process Individually, Then Move to Group Process
topic Tips to Prepare a Brainstorming Session
topic Examples of Ground Rules. Tips for Facilitators
topic Do a Brainstorm Session to Make (or Prepare for) Major Decisions
topic Conditions for Brainstorming
topic How to Measure the Effectiveness of Brainstorming Sessions?
topic Store your Brainstorming Ideas - They May be of Use Later
topic Electronic Brainstorming (E-Brainstorming)
👀How to Use Affinity Diagrams (KJ Diagrams) in Brainstorming
topic Brainstorming is an Outlet for Hidden Ideas and Increases Employee Engagement
topic Use Six Thinking Hats to Structure Brainstorming Sessions
topic Brainstorming - Dealing with Excess of Information
topic Brainstorming Outcome: the Next Step
topic Combine Brainstorming with Cause and Effect Diagram (Ishikawa)
topic The Paradox of Brainstorming
topic Use Brainstorming as a New Leader
topic Brainstorming is Team-building
topic Network Brainstorming (via Internet)
topic Suggestion Boxes | Suggestion Schemes
🔥 Learning Canvas 3.0 for Brainstorming
topic Brainstorming Difficulties
topic Branstorming session - No more Purpose - Time to stop.
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More on Brainstorming:
Summary
Discussion Topics
topic Start Brainstorming Process Individually, Then Move to Group Process
topic Tips to Prepare a Brainstorming Session
topic Examples of Ground Rules. Tips for Facilitators
topic Do a Brainstorm Session to Make (or Prepare for) Major Decisions
topic Conditions for Brainstorming
topic How to Measure the Effectiveness of Brainstorming Sessions?
topic Store your Brainstorming Ideas - They May be of Use Later
topic Electronic Brainstorming (E-Brainstorming)
👀How to Use Affinity Diagrams (KJ Diagrams) in Brainstorming
topic Brainstorming is an Outlet for Hidden Ideas and Increases Employee Engagement
topic Use Six Thinking Hats to Structure Brainstorming Sessions
topic Brainstorming - Dealing with Excess of Information
topic Brainstorming Outcome: the Next Step
topic Combine Brainstorming with Cause and Effect Diagram (Ishikawa)
topic The Paradox of Brainstorming
topic Use Brainstorming as a New Leader
topic Brainstorming is Team-building
topic Network Brainstorming (via Internet)
topic Suggestion Boxes | Suggestion Schemes
🔥 Learning Canvas 3.0 for Brainstorming
topic Brainstorming Difficulties
topic Branstorming session - No more Purpose - Time to stop.
Special Interest Group

SIG Leader

Do you know a lot about Brainstorming? Become our SIG Leader

Knowledge Center

Brainstorming
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