Affinity Diagram - Shop Safety

The class agreed to begin the design process by collectively creating an Affinity Diagram. An Affinity Diagram is used to understand the broad scope of the design opportunity, and to identify categories for further exploration. The diagram is a bottom-up approach in which words or phrases associated with a topic are recorded on individual notes, and then organized into categories based upon common ideas and themes. (method from Hugh Beyer and Karen Holtzblatt’s book Contextual Design.)


After removing some of the extraneous items from the group of notes we created, we identified the following categories:
Emotions & Signage
OSHA & Safety
Dangerous Machines
Tools & Rules (including cleaning & storage)
Authority & Culture
Air Quality, Materials, & Cleanup

We split the categories between groups and individuals in the class, and Lauren Schlam and I agreed to research Dangerous Machines. We will meet within the next few days to set a research plan.

It is also interesting to note that we are both really excited about this project, and I look forward to working with her because she is hard working, committed to a high standard of quality, and just generally awesome.

2/02/2005