> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.designreference.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://www.designreference.xyz/ux-methods/discovery/affinity-diagramming.md).

# Affinity Diagramming

<figure><img src="/files/EU04Jie9f2xbchmHQUw9" alt=""><figcaption><p><em>Image by</em> <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jevnin/390224920/in/photolist-5nUp6Y-9h1pNz-nhv444-8BsiCV-APnKMv-8BvqHG-4hPHYo-nS686T-nhPyQL-ns6BAF-nhv1QY-rc9Xq-rca4d-rc9R1-uEK7U-21oYw6-5HmCx8-axJ9HK-qUzh4f-axJ72F-9zsav5-9zs9TN-9zpbC4-axJ8nF-axLQbY-axLRqJ-axJ9yR-pXSpha-axLPBL-9zpcuP-9h4xYw-axJ7fr-axLPqw-Au1gS-axJ9dv-axJ8yZ-axLNLA-axLPNJ-axJ816-axLQTN-qUuPWx-pXDFYJ-qUDKmX-qSmLMQ-qSmMbf-6M61cR-uEK5a-pXDFZW-qC5iyE-qSmLUo/"><em>Josh Evnin</em></a></p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
AKA Affinity Mapping, Affinity Map, Affinity Diagrams
{% endhint %}

Affinity diagramming is a collaborative method used to organise and make sense of large amounts of information or ideas. It involves a group of participants who generate ideas or insights on individual cards or sticky notes, which are then grouped together based on their similarities or relationships. The process of affinity diagramming encourages collaboration, creativity, and the discovery of patterns or themes within the collected information. By visually clustering related ideas or concepts, affinity diagramming helps teams identify common themes, prioritise issues, and generate solutions. It provides a structured approach for organising complex information, facilitating discussions, and making informed decisions. Affinity diagramming is commonly used in problem-solving, brainstorming sessions, and user research to surface key insights and drive effective problem-solving and decision-making processes.

#### Further Reading

{% embed url="<https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/affinity-diagrams-learn-how-to-cluster-and-bundle-ideas-and-facts>" %}

{% embed url="<https://www.nngroup.com/articles/affinity-diagram/>" %}

{% embed url="<https://medium.com/@heyherpar/affinity-mapping-in-ux-design-b551071f4cd0>" %}

{% embed url="<https://www.userinterviews.com/blog/affinity-mapping-ux-research-data-synthesis>" %}

#### Further Viewing

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4nYxZxteJY>" %}

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCto9p0InrE>" %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://www.designreference.xyz/ux-methods/discovery/affinity-diagramming.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
