Also called the K-J method, an affinity diagram is a two-part graphic organizer that brings structure to swaths of data by consolidating information into groups based on similarities.

The best affinity diagram examples consist of movable parts and traditional versions can end up looking like clouds of sticky notes on a wall. Why sticky notes? They’re the perfect canvas size—enough room for you to make your point, but small enough to keep your ideas high-level.

Reach for an affinity diagram when the amount of data you’re dealing with feels endless. By separating concepts or stats into a handful of families, you shift the conversation from overwhelming to understandable. It’s easier to talk about five ideas than fifty.

For an example of affinity diagrams in the wild, just look into the meeting rooms of UX and UI designers—you’ll often find them there.

To create an affinity diagram, begin by jotting down all of your information onto sticky notes—whether they’re fresh ideas from brainstorming or copy-and-pasted survey responses.

Once you have your data on display, it’s time to group the different ideas together. Sift through your sticky notes one by one and sort them into categories. When all of your notes are grouped by category, come up with a name for each “family” of ideas, and voilà—you have an affinity diagram.

Wary of the ink-covered hands, paper cuts, and recycling bins full of waste that come with a drawn-out sticky note session? For a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive affinity diagram, try an online template from FigJam. With drag-and-drop sticky notes, intuitive connectors, and a host of other handy features, anyone can join in on the fun.