The affinity diagram shows the structure of complex factors that have an influence on a problem, and then divides them up into a smaller and simpler structure. This diagram is designed to prepare the data for further analysis of the cause-effect relationships.
"Affinity diagrams are a special kind of brainstorming tool that organize large amounts of disorganized data and information into groupings based on natural relationships.
It was created in the 1960s by the Japanese anthropologist Jiro Kawakita. Its also known as KJ diagram,after Jiro Kawakita.When to Use an Affinity Diagram: 1) When you are confronted with many facts or ideas in apparent chaos. 2) When issues seem too large and complex to grasp." [Seven Management and Planning Tools. Wikipedia]
The affinity diagram is one of the Seven Management and Planning Tools (7 MP tools, Seven New Quality Tools).
The affinity diagram template for the ConceptDraw PRO diagramming and vector drawing software is included in the solution "Seven Management and Planning Tools" from the Management area of ConceptDraw Solution Park.