Affinity diagramming

Affinity diagramming is an activity that groups information based on similarities or themes. This exercise is usually the step after a postup and before prioritization. Affinity diagramming helps discover patterns across a wide set of ideas and promotes a shared language among participants.

To start this exercise, you must already have ideas on sticky notes on a wall or whiteboard. You also need whiteboard space as you'll move notes into new groups.

If you have predetermined categories, write them on top of the board so that many notes can fit below. Add an "?" category for items that don't fit or are unintelligible. Once that is set, explain the process to participants.

Without talking to one another, participants should:

1. Take a note off the board and read it
2. Place it into a category they think it belongs to
3. If the selected category already has the same idea, place notes on top of each other, with the most descriptive one on top
4. If they can't read or categorize the note, place it in the "?" column^[1]

Once done, let each participant choose a category and present it for discussion. In the end, you'll have organized ideas to prioritize in future activities.