The document discusses affinity diagrams, which are a quality control tool used to organize large amounts of interrelated data into groups based on natural relationships. This allows for further analysis and problem solving. The key steps in constructing an affinity diagram are to select a topic, collect verbal data through brainstorming, discuss and write each item on a card, spread out the cards and group similar themes, combine statement cards, and lay out the completed groups. Affinity diagrams facilitate breakthrough thinking, ensure everyone understands the problem, and foster team spirit in problem solving.

1. Affinity and Relationship
Diagram
By
Dr.A.Nithya

2. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
For Pinpointing the Problem in a Chaotic
Situation and Generating Solution Strategies
 Gathers large amounts of intertwined
verbal data (ideas, opinions, issues)
 Organizes the data into groups based on
natural relationship
 Makes it feasible for further analysis and to
find a solution to the problem.
Slide 1 0f 7

3. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Advantages of Affinity Diagrams
 Facilitates breakthrough thinking and
stimulate fresh ideas
 Permits the problem to be pinned down
accurately
 Ensures everyone clearly recognizes the
problem
 Incorporates opinions of entire group
Slide 2 0f 7

4. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Advantages of Affinity Diagrams (cont.)
 Fosters team spirit
 Raises everyone’s level of awareness
 Spurs to the group into action
Slide 3 0f 7
Topic
Affinity Statement
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Affinity Statement
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Affinity Statement
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Affinity Statement
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card Data Card

5. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Constructing an Affinity Diagram
Group Method Approach
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 Select a topic
 Collect verbal data by brainstorming
 Discuss info collected until everyone
understands it thoroughly
 Write each item on separate data card
 Spread out all cards on table

6. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Constructing an Affinity Diagram
Group Method Approach (cont.)
Slide 5 0f 7
 Move data cards into groups of similar
themes (natural affinity for each other)
 Combine statements on data cards to new
Affinity statement
 Make new card with Affinity statement
 Continue to combine until less than 5
groups

7. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Constructing an Affinity Diagram
Group Method Approach (cont.)
Slide 6 0f 7
 Lay the groups outs, keeping the affinity
clusters together
Next, complete the diagram

8. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Affinity Diagrams
Completing an Affinity Diagram
Slide 7 0f 7
Topic
Affinity Statement
DataCard
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Affinity Statement
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Affinity Statement
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Affinity Statement
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card
Data Card Data Card
Source: Nayatani, Y., The Seven New QC Tools (Tokyo, Japan, 3A Corporation, 1984)

9. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
For Finding Solutions Strategies by Clarifying
Relationships with Complex Interrelated Causes
 Resolves tangled issues by unraveling the
logical connection
 Allows for “Multi-directional” thinking
rather than linear
 Also known as Interrelationship diagrams
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10. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Advantages of Relations Diagrams
 Useful at planning stage for obtaining
perspective on overall situation
 Facilitates consensus among team
 Assists to develop and change people’s
thinking
 Enables priorities to be identified accurately
Slide 2 0f 7

11. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Advantages of Relations Diagrams (cont.)
 Makes the problem recognizable by clarifying
the relationships among causes
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Why doesn’t
X happen?
Primary Cause
Primary Cause
Primary Cause
Primary Cause
Tertiary
Cause
Secondary
Cause
Secondary
Cause
Secondary
Cause
Secondary
Cause
Tertiary
Cause
4th level
Cause
Tertiary
Cause
Tertiary
Cause
4th level
Cause
5th level
Cause
6th level
Cause
Tertiary
Cause
Secondary
Cause

12. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Constructing a Relations Diagram
Group Method Approach
Slide 4 0f 7
 Express the problem in form of “Why isn’t
something happening?”
 Each member lists 5 causes affecting
problem
 Discuss info collected until everyone
understands it thoroughly
 Write each item on a card

13. New Seven Q.C. Tools
Relations Diagrams
Constructing a Relations Diagram
Group Method Approach (cont.)
Slide 5 0f 7
 Move cards into similar groups
 Asking why, explore the cause-effect
relationships, and divide the cards into
primary, secondary and tertiary causes
 Connect all cards by these relationships
 Further discuss until all possible causes
have been identified