How To Create an Affinity Diagram Using Solutions

The Affinity diagram shows the structure of large, complex factors that have an influence on a problem, and then divides them up into a smaller and simpler structure. We recommend using a mind map for Brainstorming and collecting the factors affecting the problem. Affinity diagram helps to group a large number of ideas, using their relationships, and can also be used to: analysis of complex problems, analysis of some poll results, analysis of ideas after brainstorming, or any other analysis whenever the number of options reaches “the chaos limit”. The ability to create an Affinity diagram from a mind map is supported by the Seven Management and Planning Tools solution. This solution will be installed for both MINDMAP and DIAGRAM.

1. Run ConceptDraw STORE.
2. Discover the “Seven Management and Planning Tools” item in the Management area of the Solutions tab.
3. Click the preview of Affinity Diagram mind map template to open it in MINDMAP.

4. The template will be opened in a brainstorming session view. You need to fill the template and create a mind map that reflects the problem’s composition. Use a brainstorm to collect all factors affecting the problem.

5. Drag and drop items to organize them into a mind map structure.

6. Activate the Outputs functionality using Options (Windows), or Preferences (macOS).

7. Use Output Affinity Diagram to create a diagram from mind map.

8. Affinity diagram will be generated in ConceptDraw DIAGRAM. It will be instantly opened in a presentation view.

Result: Affinity diagram is designed to prepare the data for further analysis of the cause-effect relationships.