Toolkit P4- Affinity diagramme

Organising all career-related
information

Programa de formación

A whiteboard or wall with a large sheet of paper or multiple sheets attached
Tape or other materials to attach ideas to the board
Sticky notes of different colours
Markers in different colours
Tape or other materials to attach ideas to the board and sheets on the wall
A camera or phone

40–50 minutes

What is this tool and what is its purpose and benefit?

An affinity diagram helps identify patterns and recurring issues by organising data into clear themes and categories. It provides a coherent overview of the material collected and highlights areas for further development. By focusing on concrete observations rather than opinions, the affinity diagram transforms scattered notes into a visual map that makes it easier to spot useful insights and decide what to do next. The affinity diagram provides an overview of all professional experience and skills, bringing these together in the form of a visual career map.

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

STEP 7

STEP 8

Collect the findings from the tools used in Phases 1–3 (Self-Dimension, Skills and Competencies, and Environment) and write them on coloured sticky notes. Use a different colour for each phase. If you already have the main findings from a previous phase, copy them here. Write down your:

Hard skills, such as specific software skills, and foreign languages.
Soft skills, such as communication, and time management.
Your successes and specific achievements from previous jobs.
Values that are important to you at work, such as flexibility and stability.
Observations about the job market, such as the requirements listed in job advertisements that interest you.

Place the sticky notes on a whiteboard, wall or large sheet of paper, so that you can see all the elements at a glance. This allows you to view the data as a whole rather than as a collection of unrelated points.

Arrange the sticky notes into groups that reflect similar topics or describe similar patterns. Do not impose predefined categories at this stage; let the groupings emerge naturally from the notes. For example, group together notes related to communication and, in another group, notes related to the requirements of a specific job position.

Name the groups. Give each group a label that captures its meaning and explains what connects the information within it. Examples include: ‘My key technical competencies’, ‘Work environments where I thrive’, and ‘Competency gaps to address’.

Combine groups into broader categories if wider themes or relationships start to emerge. Finally, identify the most important emerging topics, issues and priorities to inform future decisions.

If you have many groups, combine them into larger thematic areas. You may find that some groups form your 'Main Career Profile' while others form your 'Development Goals for the Next Year'.

Draw conclusions and set priorities. This is the most important step where you analyse the completed diagram to make decisions. Consider:
Which groups of information appear most frequently? These could be your strongest competitive advantages.
Which areas require further work or new skills?
Which types of roles best align with your skills, values, and successes?

Document your affinity diagram. Take notes and a photo of it. For example, you could include the full diagram and your reflections in a Word document.