Which diagram is used to illustrate primary and secondary adjacencies between major work groups or departments?

• A. Organizational Chart
• B. Flow Diagram
• C. Bubble Diagram
• D. Process Map

Answer: (C)

Bubble diagrams are used to map spatial relationships between major work groups or departments. They represent each group as a bubble and show which areas should be near each other by placing bubbles closer together or linking them, highlighting primary adjacencies (must-near relationships) and secondary adjacencies (nice-to-near relationships). This approach is ideal for early facility or office layout planning because it focuses on proximity and interaction needs rather than detailed steps or hierarchies.

Organizational charts depict reporting lines and roles, not physical proximity. Flow diagrams (flowcharts) illustrate the sequence of steps in a process, not where departments should sit relative to one another. Process maps detail the activities, inputs, outputs, and decisions within a process, again emphasizing workflow rather than spatial relationships.