Interrelationship Digraph

The interrelationship digraph is used to show cause-and-effect relationships between identified factors surrounding an issue. Teams can look globally at several factors and determine the logical sequence of events to obtain the desired results.

To develop the factors used for the interrelationship diagraph, you might use the header cards from an affinity diagram.

 

  • Steps:
    • 1. write the identified factors on a flip chart in random positions around the initial topic.

 

  •  Step 2.
    • Start with one of the factors, draw arrows from it to each of the other items that it impacts.
    • Ask, Is "A" required to get to "B, etc."?
  •  Step 3.
    • Move to another item and repeat the process until every other item has been analyzed with regard to its impact on all other items.

 

  •  Step 4.
    • Using a marker of one color, note beside each item the number of arrows pointing to it
    • Use a marker of another color to note beside each item the number of arrowsleading away from it.
  •  Step 5.
    • The analysis should reveal the primary focus or end result of the issue being examined, based on the highest number of arrows pointing to the item.
    • The analysis should also reveal the key causal factor - based on the highest number of arrows leading away from the item.
    • Subsequent analysis should reveal a logical implementation sequence in order to achieve the desired result.