Influence Diagram

Create influence diagrams quickly and easily with SmartDraw's built-in templates

Create Influence Diagrams

Influence Diagram vs Decision Tree

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How To Make an Influence Diagram

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With SmartDraw, You Can Create More than 70 Types of Diagrams, Charts, and Visuals

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What is an Affinity Diagram?

Influence diagrams are closely related to decision trees and often used in conjunction with them. An influence diagram displays a summary of the information contained in a decision tree. It involves four variable types for notation: a decision (a rectangle), chance (an oval), objective (a hexagon), and function (a rounded rectangle). Influence diagrams also use solid lines to denote influence. Their appearance is very similar to a flowchart.

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What's the Difference Between Decision Trees and Influence Diagrams?

Influence diagrams show the dependencies among variables. This is an important distinction between influence diagrams and decision trees. Decision trees offer much more detail about each possible decision.

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Symbols Used in an Influence Diagram

An influence diagram involves 4 variable types for notation: a decision (a rectangle), chance (an oval), objective (a hexagon), and function (a rounded rectangle).

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Typical Uses of Influence Diagrams

If a decision tree is very complex and needs to either be explained to someone or presented, an Influence Diagram is very helpful as it will give an higher level explanation of what was discovered using the decision tree.

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Best Practices When Creating Affinity Diagrams

There are many different ways to create an influence diagram. They can be created using pen and paper, white boarded, or, more efficiently created by diagramming software.

Here are the basic steps:

Start your tree. Draw a rectangle near the top-left corner of the page. This will be the first 'node' or shape. In this rectangle write the first question or a criterion that leads to a decision.
Add to the process. Referencing the decision tree, add more shapes to the page as needed, labeling each. A series of decisions, functions, and chances should lead to an objective.
Add connectors. Use a combination of straight or angled lines between all related boxes with arrowheads indicating the flow of influence. Each box should be connected to at least one line.

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Influence Diagram Examples

The best way to understand influence diagrams is to look at some examples of influence diagrams.

Click on any of these influence diagrams included in SmartDraw and edit them:

Influence Diagram Example

Influence Diagram - Product Decision

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Create Influence Diagrams

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Influence Diagram

Create influence diagrams quickly and easily with SmartDraw's built-in templates

What is an Influence Diagram?

Influence Diagram vs Decision Tree

Influence Diagram Symbols

How To Make an Influence Diagram

Influence Diagram Examples

With SmartDraw, You Can Create More than 70 Types of Diagrams, Charts, and Visuals

What is an Affinity Diagram?

What's the Difference Between Decision Trees and Influence Diagrams?

Symbols Used in an Influence Diagram

Typical Uses of Influence Diagrams

Best Practices When Creating Affinity Diagrams

Influence Diagram Examples

More Influence Diagram Information

Try SmartDraw's Influence Diagram Software Free

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Getting StartedLearn to make visuals, familiarize yourself with the UI, choosing templates, managing documents, and more.

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WhiteboardLearn how to combine free-form brainstorming with diagram blueprints all while collaborating with your team.

Data VisualizersLearn how to generate visuals like org charts and class diagrams from data.

SupportSearch through SmartDraw's knowledge base, view frequently asked questions, or contact our support team.

Developer Resources

Development PlatformBrowse built-in data visualizers and see how you can build your own custom visualization.

Open APIThe SmartDraw API allows you to skip the drawing process and generate diagrams from data automatically.

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Additional Resources

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Team LicenseThe SmartDraw Team License puts you in control with powerful administrative features.

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Apps & IntegrationsConnect to all the tools you use.

Influence Diagram

Create influence diagrams quickly and easily with SmartDraw's built-in templates

With SmartDraw, You Can Create More than 70 Types of Diagrams, Charts, and Visuals

What is an Affinity Diagram?

What's the Difference Between Decision Trees and Influence Diagrams?

Symbols Used in an Influence Diagram

Typical Uses of Influence Diagrams

Best Practices When Creating Affinity Diagrams

Influence Diagram Examples

More Influence Diagram Information

Try SmartDraw's Influence Diagram Software Free

Diagramming
Build diagrams of all kinds from flowcharts to floor plans with intuitive tools and templates.

Whiteboarding
Collaborate with your team on a seamless workspace no matter where they are.

Data
Generate diagrams from data and add data to shapes to enhance your existing visuals.

Enterprise Friendly
Easy to administer and license your entire organization.

Security
See how we keep your data safe.

Apps & Integrations
Connect to all the tools you use from Microsoft, Google Workspace, Atlassian, and more.

Product Management
Roadmap features, brainstorm, and report on development, so your team can ship features that users love.

Software Engineering
Design and maintain complex systems collaboratively.

Information Technology
Visualize system architecture, document processes, and communicate internal policies.

Sales
Close bigger deals with reproducible processes that lead to successful onboarding and training.

Getting Started
Learn to make visuals, familiarize yourself with the UI, choosing templates, managing documents, and more.

Templates
Get inspired by browsing examples and templates available in SmartDraw.

Diagrams
Learn about all the types of diagrams you can create with SmartDraw.

Whiteboard
Learn how to combine free-form brainstorming with diagram blueprints all while collaborating with your team.

Data Visualizers
Learn how to generate visuals like org charts and class diagrams from data.

Support
Search through SmartDraw's knowledge base, view frequently asked questions, or contact our support team.

Development Platform
Browse built-in data visualizers and see how you can build your own custom visualization.

Open API
The SmartDraw API allows you to skip the drawing process and generate diagrams from data automatically.

Shape Data
Add data to shapes, import data, export manifests, and create data rules to change dashboards that update.

Site License
Site licenses start as low as $2,995 for your entire organization.

Team License
The SmartDraw Team License puts you in control with powerful administrative features.

Security
See how we keep your data safe.

Apps & Integrations
Connect to all the tools you use.