Affinity Diagramming Add/remove

Purpose:

Affinity diagramming is used for organizing and pattern finding within large sets of data. The data could come from research, user interactions or even a gathering of all findings – an exercise in ‘what we know so far’. By using the method, findings will be clustered into meaningful categories, creating a useful overview of what data you have, and what you do not have yet.

Step by step Facilitating tips Materials needed Goes well with

Tips to include participants who are not able to:

Ability to see

See

If participants are unable to see make sure to present the written post-its in detail. Shorten down the amount of insights to the most crucial to avoid loosing overview.

Focus

If the ability to focus is limited because of time crunch, shorten down the time spent on the task. If the ability is limited because of distractions, make sure facilitators keep a calm and attentive attitude, and prolong time for affinity diagramming.

Touch

If participants are unable to touch, pair up with another group member to spar with that can place the post-its. If a helper, documenter or facilitator is available, getting help from these is also an option.

Hold

If participants are unable to hold, pair up with another group member to spar with that can place the post-its. If a helper, documenter or facilitator is available, getting help from these is also an option.

Think

If participants have a hard time grasping the task, pairing up might be beneficial to let participants help each other understanding and fulfilling the task.

Speak

If participants are unable to speak, perform the method silently instead, where there is no discussion about the clustering - the participants have to perform the entire exercise without speaking.

Hear

If participants are unable to hear, perform the method silently instead, where there is no discussion about the clustering - the participants have to perform the entire exercise without speaking.

Move

If participants are limited in motoric abilities, the template is either placed at a suitable height for wheelchair users or placed on the table.

Pair up with another group member to spar with that can place the post-its

Overview

Input

Data

Output

A simplified overview

Complexity

Complex

Time

1 hour

Participants

min. 2

Activity

Core abilities:

  • Writing
  • Creating an overview
  • Comparing and synthesizing

Step by step:

  1. Gather your findings so they are all in front you. Write each insight on a post-it. Be thorough, it will require both time and lots of post-its. You can also write a quote from someone, you have interviewed, or an observation. Be creative!

  2. Everyone places their post-its randomly on a wall or a table, where all participants can read them. Read through the post-its.

  3. Now, begin clustering the post-its. The findings are clustered into categories that make logical sense to the group. All participants should move around post-its, and it is perfectly fine to move a post-it, that has been moved before, or to try to relocate an entire cluster.

  4. Give each cluster a descriptive title or theme.

  5. Analyse your clusters. In what areas have you gained sufficient information? In what areas are you lacking data?

When doing this method you should consider:

  • This method is great to perform before making your problem statement. This way, you have all your material in front of you, and you should be able to find out, what is the core of the problem, that you are tackling.
  • This method is a good way for all members to contribute, even if group members find it difficult to express their opinion. Give room and be open to group members’ ways of clustering.
  • The silent version of this method is great, if some participants find it difficult sharing thoughts and entering discussions. The entire group should then stay silent when clustering the insights, and when creating titles as well, if possible.

Materials needed:

  • A lot of post-its
  • Wall/table in suitable height
  • Optional: Camera for documentation