Interrelationship Diagram

Visualize and identify how issues relate to each other with interrelationship diagrams

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What is an Interrelationship Diagram?

An interrelationship diagram (ID) shows how different issues are related to one another. It helps identify which issues are causing problems and which are an outcome of other actions. It also shows the strength of each influence.

An interrelationship diagram consists of a set of boxes, one representing each issue to be considered. It is organized in a radial pattern on the page. Connecting lines between the boxes indicates their relationship. Arrows show direct relationships and distinguish causes from effects.

Interrelationship diagrams can be extremely useful when trying to sort out possible causes of a specific problem. Although they do not identify detailed reasons for the problem, they do allow one to analyze broader issues as causes and effects of one another.

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How to Create an Interrelationship Diagram

Identify the problem. Decide what problem to solve by analyzing its various factors. Place it in a box at the top of the paper.
Identify issues. Brainstorm to produce any key issues, ideas, reasons, causes, etc., for the problem. Place each in a rectangle on the page.
Connect the issues. Choose any item to start with and compare it to any other. Decide if the two are related to each other in any way. If they are, identify which is a cause and which is an effect. Use an arrow pointing from cause to effect to show the relationship.
Identify intensity. If one item has a particularly strong influence on another make the arrow darker. If it is a weak relationship, use a dotted line.
Analyze. Any item with a large number of outgoing arrows is a key cause of the problem. Any item with many arrows pointing to it is a main outcome.
Solve the issue. Discuss a way to solve the issue by focusing on the main cause.

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Interrelationship Diagram Examples

The best way to understand interrelationship diagrams is to look at some examples of interrelationship diagrams.

Click on any of these interrelationship diagrams included in SmartDraw and edit them:

Interrelationship Diagram - 1

Interrelationship Diagram - 2

Interrelationship Diagram - 3

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Interrelationship Diagram

Visualize and identify how issues relate to each other with interrelationship diagrams

What is an Interrelationship Diagram?

How to Make an Interrelationship Diagram

Interrelationship Diagram Examples

With SmartDraw, You Can Create Many Different Types of Diagrams, Charts, and Visuals

What is an Interrelationship Diagram?

How to Create an Interrelationship Diagram

Interrelationship Diagram Examples

More Interrelationship Diagram Information

Try SmartDraw's Interrelationship Diagram Software Free

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Interrelationship Diagram

Visualize and identify how issues relate to each other with interrelationship diagrams

What is an Interrelationship Diagram?

How to Make an Interrelationship Diagram

Interrelationship Diagram Examples

With SmartDraw, You Can Create Many Different Types of Diagrams, Charts, and Visuals

What is an Interrelationship Diagram?

How to Create an Interrelationship Diagram

Interrelationship Diagram Examples

More Interrelationship Diagram Information

Try SmartDraw's Interrelationship Diagram Software Free

Diagramming
Build diagrams of all kinds from flowcharts to floor plans with intuitive tools and templates.

Whiteboarding
Collaborate with your team on a seamless workspace no matter where they are.

Data
Generate diagrams from data and add data to shapes to enhance your existing visuals.

Enterprise Friendly
Easy to administer and license your entire organization.

Security
See how we keep your data safe.

Apps & Integrations
Connect to all the tools you use from Microsoft, Google Workspace, Atlassian, and more.

Product Management
Roadmap features, brainstorm, and report on development, so your team can ship features that users love.

Software Engineering
Design and maintain complex systems collaboratively.

Information Technology
Visualize system architecture, document processes, and communicate internal policies.

Sales
Close bigger deals with reproducible processes that lead to successful onboarding and training.

Getting Started
Learn to make visuals, familiarize yourself with the UI, choosing templates, managing documents, and more.

Templates
Get inspired by browsing examples and templates available in SmartDraw.

Diagrams
Learn about all the types of diagrams you can create with SmartDraw.

Whiteboard
Learn how to combine free-form brainstorming with diagram blueprints all while collaborating with your team.

Data Visualizers
Learn how to generate visuals like org charts and class diagrams from data.

Support
Search through SmartDraw's knowledge base, view frequently asked questions, or contact our support team.

Development Platform
Browse built-in data visualizers and see how you can build your own custom visualization.

Open API
The SmartDraw API allows you to skip the drawing process and generate diagrams from data automatically.

Shape Data
Add data to shapes, import data, export manifests, and create data rules to change dashboards that update.

Site License
As low as $5 per user per month for your entire organization.

Team License
Get powerful administrative features for your team.

Security
See how we keep your data safe.

Apps & Integrations
Connect to all the tools you use.