The New Seven Tools of Quality
The Affinity Diagram
This Affinity Diagram is a very useful tool to use when brainstorming is the main goal. This is an especially effective tool because it allows the participants to be both creative and logical. By generating ideas the participants are tapping into their creative side, and organizing those ideas allows them to exercise logic. According to http://www.Pekin.net, there are 3 main instances when an affinity diagram is especially useful. First, when the problem is complex or hard to understand. Second, when the problem is very large and could appear to be overwhelming. Last, when support and involvement of another group is required. There are six basic steps to creating an affinity diagram:
1. Identify the problem or issue
2. Each person writes issues related to problem on note card or sticky notes
3. Organize the cards or sticky notes into logical piles
4. Name each pile with a header
5. Draw an affinity diagram
6. Discuss the piles created

Below is an example of an affinity diagram:

The Interrelationship Digraph

The main purpose of the interrelationship digraph is to depict the relationships between different issues. Often times this digraph is used in conjunction with the affinity diagram. It can be very powerful in that it reveals the impact one issue can have on other issues. There are seven steps to create an interrelationship diagram:
1. Identify problem or issue
2. Write each element that relates to problem in a box
3. Draw arrows from the element that influences to the element that is influenced
4. Draw the strongest influence if two elements impact each other
5. Count the arrows
6. Elements with the most outgoing arrows will be root causes or drivers
7. The elements with the most incoming arrows will be key outcomes or results

Below is an example of an interrelationship digraph: