Affinity diagrams were invented by Jiro Kawakita in the 1960s, who called this diagram the K-J Method. They help prioritize actions and improve group decision-making when resources are limited.
By the 1970s, affinity diagrams were part of what's known as the Seven Management and Planning Tools, an approach to process improvement used in Total Quality Control in Japan.
Other tools include: interrelationship diagram, tree diagram, prioritization matrix, matrix diagram, process decision program chart, and activity network diagram.
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