# Affinity Diagram Participants write individual observations onto sticky notes and cluster them on a shared wall based on natural relationships. The room titles each emerging theme and determines priority areas for follow-up. **Time:** 55 minutes. Source indicates 25 to 90 minutes; 55 minutes allows adequate time for clustering, cluster naming, and debriefing with up to 20 people. **People:** 6 to 20. Individual generation followed by whole-group or small-team clustering at a shared wall. ## Choose this exercise **Purpose:** Sort unstructured qualitative input into named thematic clusters to reveal shared patterns. **Use it when:** Use when a team needs to make sense of scattered brainstorming points, retrospective feedback, or open-ended research findings. **Skip it when:** Skip when ideas already belong to fixed pre-established categories or when the group needs numeric prioritization rather than thematic grouping. ## Materials and tools - 1 pad of 3x3 sticky notes per person (plus 1 extra pad per in-person buddy if running hybrid) - 1 dark fine-tip marker per person - 1 pad of large distinctly colored header sticky notes for cluster titles - Wall space, whiteboard, or large foam core boards at least 8 feet wide - Blue painter's tape for mounting boards if needed - Smartphone or tablet camera for documentation ## Before participants arrive 1. Clear a wide vertical surface or large conference table accessible to all participants. 2. Write the central focus question in large, clear block letters across the top of the working surface. 3. Place one marker and one sticky note pad at every participant seat. ## Say this to open Today we are organizing our observations into an affinity diagram. Our focus question is on the board. You will write one concise observation per note, post them together, and group similar items to see the common patterns across our work. ## How to run it ### 1. Introduce focus and write notes silently (7 minutes) Facilitator speaks the opening script and points to the central question. Direct participants to work individually and write one distinct point per sticky note using short phrases. Set an expectation of 4 to 8 notes per person. Keep the room silent so participants produce their own uninfluenced thoughts. ### 2. Post and pool notes (5 minutes) Invite participants to post their notes across the board without sorting them yet. For groups of 12 or more, call two quick waves of 6 to 10 people to avoid crowding the wall. ### 3. Cluster notes by similarity (13 minutes) Direct all participants to approach the board and cluster related notes together. Keep talk to a minimum during the first 8 minutes. If two people disagree on where a note belongs, make a duplicate note immediately and place one in each cluster, or place the note midway between the groups. Allow open spoken alignment during the final 5 minutes. ### 4. Name categories and review patterns (18 minutes) Facilitator stands at the board, points to each cluster, and reads a sample of 3 to 4 notes aloud. Facilitator asks the group for a 2- to 3-word category title that describes the underlying theme. If multiple titles are offered, call for a rapid show of hands to decide on one. Write the chosen title on a large header note and post it above the cluster. Process all clusters sequentially, keeping any lone outlier notes in an 'Unclustered' area. ### 5. Debrief and record (12 minutes) Facilitator takes a clear photograph of the completed wall. Facilitator leads the room through the debrief questions, taking 2 or 3 quick volunteer contributions per question. Facilitator summarizes which clusters the team will take forward into action planning. ## Debrief questions - Which cluster holds the most critical items for our next steps? - What unexpected connection or pattern emerged once the notes were grouped? - Which cluster feels least resolved or requires deeper analysis? **Finished output:** A photographed wall of categorized sticky notes grouped under distinct thematic title headers. ## Remote Use an online collaborative whiteboard such as Miro, Mural, or Padlet. Display the focus question in a central frame. In Step 1, participants create digital sticky notes on individual draft areas. In Step 2, everyone moves their notes to the central pool. In Step 3, participants sort notes simultaneously into visual piles. In Step 4, the facilitator reads clusters and creates header text boxes based on voice suggestions or chat votes. In Step 5, export the canvas as a PDF or image. ## Hybrid Pair each remote participant with an in-person buddy. Ensure buddies have an extra pad of sticky notes. The remote participant messages their ideas in the shared chat or writes on a companion digital board. The in-person buddy writes these physical notes and posts them on the wall. Stream the wall continuously via a dedicated webcam on a tripod so remote participants can track clustering and call out category titles. ## Access and participation choices - Participants with limited mobility or low vision may dictate their ideas to a designated scribe or work at a waist-height table surface rather than a standing wall. - Anyone may choose to submit fewer notes, contribute notes anonymously, or participate entirely through silent clustering without speaking. ## If the session gets stuck **One cluster grows so large that it contains half the notes in the room.** Ask the group to review that cluster and split it into two or three distinct sub-themes. **Participants get stuck in prolonged verbal debate over where a single note belongs.** Write a duplicate note instantly and place one copy in each contested cluster. ## Terms used here - Affinity: A natural resemblance, relationship, or thematic connection between ideas. - Cluster: A group of sticky notes positioned together on a board because they address the same topic. ## Sources and adaptation Observed in Participatory Methods (participatorymethods.com, 2025). The underlying affinity diagram technique is historically associated with Jiro Kawakita (the KJ Method). Retained the seven-step core sequence, group size of 6 to 20, and materials from Participatory Methods. Set total duration to 55 minutes within the source's 25 to 90 minute range. Clarified facilitator roles for reading and title voting in Step 4, expanded Step 4 to 18 minutes to handle up to 15 clusters, expanded Step 5 to 12 minutes for debrief and capture, and specified extra sticky note supplies for hybrid buddies. [Participatory Methods](https://participatorymethods.com/activities/affinity-diagram/) Current run sheet: https://unitedwetransform.com/exercises/affinity-diagram/