How to Use Affinity Diagrams (KJ Diagrams) in Brainstorming

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.

		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.

		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 the last name first) and Kobayashi) but find only the KJ Diagram by Kawakita. See below my understan...

		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 allow an area of concern and solutions for it to shape its course according to the neutral facts and nua...