Graphs :: 2 of 2

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Types of diagram

There are many, many types of graph, qua network diagram. All share the same ontology of nodes (blobs) and vertices (lines).

Nodes can represent literally anything: concepts, ideas, statements, whtever. Links - sometimes virtual, as is often the case in affinity diagrams - represent semantic similarity of some kind.

Here are a few of the most obvious, from an IA and UCD point of view.

Type of diagram

Characterisation

Affinity diagram

Nodes can represent literally anything. Links - often virtual - represent some measure of semantic similarity.

Mind maps

The quintessional brainstorming illustration tool.

Process flows

The nodes themselves can have a lot of structure in a process flow. The vertices similarly often express logical conjunctions, or other more complex decisions.

Sitemaps

In technical terms a dendrogram. The nodes have (some) structure, and the vertices usually express hierarchical category relations.

Spider diagrams

The nodes have (some) minimal structure, and the vertices express hierarchical category relations.

These similarities should not surprise systems thinkers in any way: all of these diagramming relations are kinds of network, after all.

And the network is King.

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