What method do design teams use to organize qualitative data into groups for analysis?

The affinity diagram is a method that design teams commonly use to organize qualitative data into thematic groups for easier analysis. This technique involves gathering individual pieces of data, such as user feedback, observations, or insights, and then sorting them into clusters that share common themes or categories. This process helps teams visualize relationships between different data points, allowing them to identify patterns, insights, and connections that may not be immediately apparent.

By grouping the qualitative data, teams can draw more meaningful conclusions and make informed design decisions based on user needs and behaviors. This method promotes collaboration among team members as they discuss and negotiate the placement of data, fostering a shared understanding of the insights discovered from the user research.

Other methods, such as mind mapping, SWOT analysis, and flow charting, serve different purposes and may not directly focus on organizing qualitative data for thematic analysis. Mind mapping is typically used to visually outline information, SWOT analysis is used for assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, while flow charting is focused on illustrating processes rather than categorizing qualitative insights. Therefore, the affinity diagram is the most suitable method for the task described.