|
© 2007 KnowWare
International, Inc. DBA LifeStar
2253 S. Oneida St., Ste 3D
Denver, CO 80224
Jay Arthur
888-468-1537
303-756-9144
Email Us
We help people think!
|
|
Purpose: To organize large groups of information into meaningful
categories.
The affinity diagram helps break old patterns of thought, reveal new
patterns, and generate more creative ways of thinking. The affinity diagram
helps organize the team's thoughts most effectively when: the issues seem
too large and complex; you need to break out of old, traditional ways
of thinking; everything seems chaotic; or there are many customer's requirements.
The affinity diagram and relationship diagram offer interesting tools
for gathering and organizing the information gathered from your customer.
These can be used to gather, correlate, and relate huge quantities of
information (especially written or verbal comments).
The affinity diagram helps to naturally group ideas or your customer's
valid requirements and show the relationships between items and groups.
The affinity diagram helps you gather and group large amounts of "language"
(e.g., needs, wants, wishes, ideas, and opinions) into natural relationships.
This more organic and creative approach to understanding the user's needs
is also a useful tool for object-oriented analysis. The affinity diagram
helps organize the team's thoughts most effectively when:
- the issues seem too large and complex to grasp, not simple or immediate
- you need some way to break out of old, traditional ways of thinking
- facts or thoughts are chaotic
- you need to quickly uncover your customeršs requirements
Process
- State the issue to be examined in broad terms: "What are the
issues surrounding or involving . . ."
- the delivery of very low defect products or services
- the delivery of very low defect products or services
- reducing cycle time
- reducing waste or rework
- Generate and record ideas using Post-it notes. Begin sticking them
on a wall or large sheet of easel paper where everyone can see them.
Ensure that everyone is included. Ask for a "headline" to
describe each thought. Note the contributor's initials.
- Arrange the cards in related groupings. As you generate ideas, the
person at the board may begin grouping the available notes as they are
offered and keep the intensity of note generation going as long as possible.
- Complete the groupings. Involve the group in clustering the notes
into 6-10 related groupings. Have everyone stand and do this silently.
Be prepared for some "loners." Avoid forcing them into a group.
Some notes may need to be duplicated for different groupings.
- Choose a word or phrase that captures the intent of each group and
place it at the top as a header card. If there isn't one already, then
create one with a word or phrase that does capture the intent.
Find out more about affinity diagrams at: asq.org
The Affinity Diagram is just one of the tools included in the QI
Macros for Excel SPC Software for Excel.
 Download
the FREE 30-day Evaluation copy of the QI Macros Excel SPC Software for Six
Sigma
Buy the QI Macros Now! Unconditional, No
Questions Asked, 90-day Money-Back Guarantee!
QI Macros Excel SPC Software for Histograms and Control Charts $139 Plus S&H
© 2007 KnowWare International Inc. (888) 468-1537
knowwareman@qimacros.com
Home
| Lean Six Sigma
| QI Macros
| KnowWare
| Site Map
|
Or Buy It Now!
Unconditional
90-Day
Money-Back
Guarantee
The QI Macros for Excel $139,
is an inexpensive easy to use set of Excel add-ins for statistical process control
and Lean Six Sigma. It draws line, pie, bar, pareto, box whisker, histogram (Cp,
Cpk), scatter and control charts (with stability analysis).
It contains over 70 fill in the blank templates such as the Ishikawa diagram,
QFD, DOE, FMEA, PPAP, and Gage R&R for MSA. Performs ANOVA, t-test, F-test,
and regression analysis.
Quantity Discounts
Customer Testimonials
Minitab Comparison
QI Macros FAQs
|
