Programming diagramming tools: organization chart, adjacency chart, interaction matrix, and bubble diagram

One-line orientation

These tools record hierarchy and desired relationships before rooms receive fixed shapes and sizes. Each tool shows a different kind of information.

Key points

• Organization Chart: Shows the hierarchical structure of departments or spaces (who is subordinate to whom). Important for understanding authority and reporting lines that may influence spatial adjacency, but is not itself a spatial tool.
• Adjacency Chart: A written/tabular record of desired space-to-space adjacencies collected from stakeholder input. Categorizes each relationship: critical / desirable / accessible / not necessary. Establishes what adjacency means for this project.
• Interaction Matrix (Affinity Matrix): A grid diagram with spaces listed on both axes. Uses dots or symbols of varying sizes to indicate the importance of adjacency between each pair of spaces. A legend explains each symbol level. Uses symbols in a grid to record the strength of each space relationship and help the team review plan options.
• Bubble Diagram: A graphic depiction of adjacencies — circles (bubbles) represent spaces, and line types between them show the required relationship (e.g., solid = critical, dashed = desirable). Does not show actual shape or area. Can operate at macro scale (department-to-department) or micro scale (room-to-room within a department).
• Other programming tools (less tested):
  • Space Lists: tabulate net assignable area requirements.
  • Brown Sheets: compare room sizes visually.
  • Analysis Cards: record individual concepts.
  • Room Data Sheets: list full requirements for each room.
  • Gaming Technique: uses role-play with end users.
  • Simulation: tests complex functions with a computer model.
  • Facility Requirement System (FRS): stores requirements in a BIM-linked database for large projects.

Programming diagramming tools: record → validate → relate

Used roughly in order: record hierarchy, record ratings, validate, then relate — with no shapes or sizes yet.

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The interaction matrix is also called the affinity matrix.

Confusions / comparison

Tool	Format	What it shows	Primary use
Organization Chart	Tree / hierarchy diagram	Reporting/authority structure among departments or spaces	Understand organizational hierarchy influencing layout
Adjacency Chart	Written table	Desired space-to-space adjacency ratings (critical / desirable / accessible / not necessary)	Record stakeholder adjacency requirements
Interaction Matrix	Grid with dot/symbol sizes	Strength of adjacency between every space pair	Record relationship strength and help review options
Bubble Diagram	Graphic with circles + line types	Spatial relationships and required adjacencies (no shapes or sizes)	Begin the transition from tabular data toward a graphic plan

Related

→ prog-criteria-to-block-diagram (this module): how bubble diagrams fit into the four-step sequence toward a block diagram · prog-area-types (this module): the NAA figures that inform space list inputs to the matrix · prog-efficiency-net-to-gross (this module): efficiency ratios used alongside space lists to size the program.