Affinity diagrams

Introductory articles

Affinity diagram
An overview of the uses of affinity diagrams and the steps in the process of creating one.

Scatter diagram
Provides an example of information generated through brainstorming and then categorised after using the affinity diagramming technique.
The KJ technique: a group process for establishing priorities
In design, our resources are limited. Priorities become a necessity. We need to ensure we are working on the most important parts of the problem. How do we assess what is most important? The trick is to get all the people with the right perspectives to reach consensus quickly. For this, we’ve turned to a group consensus technique we’ve been using for years, called a KJ-Method (also sometimes referred to as an 'affinity diagram').
What is affinity diagramming?
An overview of when and how to use affinity diagramming.

Sticky sorter
"Ever found yourself lost in the eye of a brainstorm? Lots of great information, but it’s all over the place! Sticky Sorter is a Grassroots Project, developed by two Microsoft Employees, that you can use today to manage such challenges. The inventors, Julie and Sumit, were looking for an easier way to capture, sift through, and organize hundreds of research observations traditionally done on physical sticky notes in an affinity diagramming exercise with researchers from around the world. The result is StickySorter which met their complex needs, supports virtual collaboration, and is now available for you to use in managing your next brainstorm."
(Microsoft Office Labs)