Mind Mapping

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What is Mind Mapping (MM)? Description

MM is a popular brainstorming tool and learning technique of visually arranging ideas and their interconnections. It can be used to graphically arrange the linkages of some central concept or issue with other concepts or issues into memorable treelike diagrams. It allows you to create, capture, organize, and communicate readily understood and highly interactive visual representations of complex ideas, information, and data.

A mind map always starts from some problem or issue which is positioned in the center. Typically it contains words, short phrases and pictures, which are connected to the central issue by lines.

Most people are visually oriented. Using structure, words, color, images, and hyperlinks (and sounds) to bring concepts to life, MM links a central concept or issue with related concepts or issues. Unlike linear thinking modes (that you probably learned at school) it stimulates imagination and creativity, by connecting left and right brain thinking. Thus it is believed to harness the full range of your analytical and creative skills.

Origin of MM. History

Radial drawings have already been used for centuries to analyze all kinds of problems. An early example is the graphical representation of the categories of Aristotle by Neoplatonist thinker Poephyry in the 3rd century. Tony Buzan, a British psychologist and a business creativity guru, was seeking a visual and faster way of outlining ideas on paper to support learning and memorizing. He made the modern Mind Map popular in the 60s.

Usage of Mind Maps. Applications

Commonly, the following functions have been described for MM in literature:

1. To visualize human information exchange (e.g. workshops, project or staff meetings, brainstorm sessions and strategy sessions).
2. To organize, reorganize and filter the thoughts and ideas that are collected.
3. To analyze and structure the information, to identify relationships between key points.
4. To improve knowledge management systems. The Mind Map can be used as a visual interface that contains information or external links. Latest software allows automatic build-up of the Mind Map by search engines and renewal of the content by refreshing.
5. To produce and present information in a better way. Mind Maps can be automatically converted to other forms of communication, such as: web sites, MSPowerpoint presentations, Projectmanagement information, MSWord files and MSOutlook tasks.
6. To better manage the information for meetings, presentations, projects, proposals, research, contacts, etc. Both in the preparation phase, the execution phase and the follow-up phase.

Mind Maps can be used for a large range of activities, including:

• Note-taking and reporting. Recall.
• Brainstorm. Improve creativity. Capture ideas. Compare: Cause and Effect Diagram
• Clarifying of thoughts. Summarizing. Gain an overview. See topics in their context. Presentation.
• Presentation.
• Planning.
• Analyze and solve complex problems.
• Team building.
• Collapse or expand topics to see more or to see less detail (through software).
• Support group communication processes (through software).

Software for MM. Programs

You can draw mind maps by hand, during a lecture or meeting, but the process can also be supported by specialized MM software, resulting in additional benefits and new and interesting application areas. MM software can be used on several levels:

• Individual use. To increase personal effectiveness (elaborating ideas and plans, control over complex information, time and project management).
• Use in teams. To increase creativity and team work (brainstorming, staff meetings, project meetings, project management, knowledge management).
• Use at events. To increase interaction and stakeholder communication, visualize discussions and enable easy reporting mechanisms in the follow-up of the events such as conferences, workshops and seminars.
• Corporate use. To create an open and collaborative culture and to standardize and support work processes (project management, procurement, HRM, sales & marketing, research & development).

Hints for MM. Process

Some generic hints to create a good mind map are:

1. Position the main idea in the center. Preferably a picture of it.
2. Use lots of space, so you can add things later.
3. Use colors and capitals where useful. Personalize the map.
4. Look for relationships.
5. Create sub centers for sub themes.

Strengths of Mind Mapping. Benefits

• Simplicity. Ease of use.
• Associative. Any idea probably has many links.
• Visual. Easy to remember.
• Radial. Allows you to work in all directions.
• Overview. Helps to see the big picture and relationships between issues.

Strengths of MM software. Benefits

• On a technical level.
  • A mind map can be collapsed or expanded to quickly increase or decrease the level of detail.
  • A mind map can be filtered (priorities, key words, colors) to produce customized versions of the ‘mother’ Mind Map.
  • Mind maps can be enriched by: texts, graphics, spreadsheet info, links to files, websites and RSS-feeds.
  • Mind maps can be linked to produce multi-maps.
  • Various modes of collaboration can be supported (such as brainstorming, presentation, building, customizing, project management, research).
  • Mind Maps can be converted to almost all traditional forms of communication (vice versa).
• On a functional level.
  • Flexible idea capturing and filtering mechanisms.
  • Various modes of presentation (Mind Map, website, PowerPoint, etc).
  • Reporting (Mind Map, Word, Outlook, Visio, etc).
  • Implementation – project management.
• On a knowledge and information management level.
  • Software can connect people in a direct and effective way to information.
  • Knowledge and Information processes are better integrated in work of people.
  • Information is better managed and needless duplication of information is avoided as the information of the Mind Map can be transformed and synchronized very easily.

Book: Tony Buzan - The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential

Forum Forum discussions about Mind Mapping. Below you can ask a question about this topic, share your experiences, report a new development, or explain something. Start a new topic about Mind Mapping Share your knowledge here (or ask a question)   Why are Mind Maps So Easy to Remember? Why are Mind Maps So Easy to Remember? Mindmaps and semantic networking tools are producing visual concept maps. Concept mapping is a study strategy that requires learners to draw visual maps of ... 39   1 comments Mind Mapping Applications (usages) You can use Mind Mapping to: - Plan and organize - Add structure to text and reports - Prepare information for learning - Brainstorm - Projektmanagement - Finding quality... 18   8 comments 🔥 NEW Mind Maps versus Concept Maps Mind Maps and Concept Maps are fundamentally different information mapping methods. The most significant differences are that: 1. Mind maps are hierarchical, with subjects and sub-subjects all co... 6   6 comments Mind Map for Mapping User Requirements to Software Features? I am looking for suggestions to keep control of mapping the User Requirements to Software Features and Functional Testing Scenarios. Is a Mind Map a good tool for effectively describing the relationsh... 2   1 comments

Best Practices The best, top-rated topics about Mind Mapping. Here you will find the most valuable ideas and practical suggestions. Best Mind Mapping Software MindMapping has been very helpful for my entire team at my company. We use a popular software package to map out our projects as well as communicate to other groups. Our sales team also uses maps to ... 37   4 comments Mind Mapping - Still Can't Get It! I've read books, attended Tony Buzan's course, but still cant seem to get it. What could I be doing wrong? I know mind mapping can be very helpful, it just hasn't worked for me... (yet). Please advise... 27   9 comments Steps in Mind Mapping Process What are the main steps of Mind Mapping? I mean the order in which the main steps should be taken?... 27   3 comments Tools for Mind Mapping Mindmapping makes communication easier when translating vague ideas and visions into concrete projects. I personally love the software "Personal Brain", because it allows me to use several mindmaps si... 19   1 comments 'Mind Mapping' or 'Idea Mapping'? I started Mind Mapping in 1992 and was the only Senior Master Trainer for the Buzan Centre until 2006. I've authored a book titled, "Idea Mapping" and have trained 17,000+ professionals world-wide.... 19   5 comments Mind Mapping for Trainers I have been using mind maps when giving adult training. It is a great way to know where you are in your training and what is coming next, without having to look in your papers. I now use it a lot in m... 18   1 comments Mind Mapping in Science I think that the mind mapping method is useful. Also, I hope to ask some questions about it: (i)How can i write mind maps for experimental procedures, since science subjects must follow the steps... 18   Mind Mapping and Decomposition I find mind mapping a rather simplistic technique as it is based on two basic ideas which underpin analytical thinking. Functional decompostion and classification. These two techniques are inherently ... 14   1 comments

Expert Tips Advanced insights about Mind Mapping. Here you will find professional advices by experts. 8 More Practical Mind Mapping Hints 5 + 8 Mind Mapping Tips, Mind Mapping Best Practices, Teaching Mind Mapping Besides the tips already given in the article: 1. Position the main idea in the center. Preferably a picture of it. 2... Checklist to Evaluate Ideas Brainstorming, Creativity Princeton Creativity Research has developed the following 12 steps checklist to accurately evaluate ideas: 1. Have you ... Recommendations for Mind Mapping by Buzan Tips for Mind Mapping In the book “The Mind Map Book”, the authors describe 10 steps and recommendations for optimal Mind Mapping. These steps... Creation a Web of Linked and Interrelated Ideas Mind Mapping Variants Clustering is a different approach to brainstorming which seems to be more down to earth when compared with traditional,...

Information Sources Various sources of information regarding Mind Mapping. Here you will find powerpoints, videos, news, etc. to use in your own lectures and workshops. Mind Map as an Interactive Learning Tool Teaching Mind Mapping This is a presentation about Mind Mapping as an interactive learning tool, thereby focusing on geography education. Neve... My Journey with Mind maps Getting More Organized Nice article by Betty Kan describes how Mind Maps help to focus your mind as you would need to search and consider the m... Mind Mapping: First Introduction and Guidelines Teaching Mind Mapping This presentation gives a brief introduction into the concept of Mind Mapping and offers some first guidelines in Mind ... Mind Mapping: Interview Buzan Developing a Broader Perspective Towards Mind Mapping Interview with Buzan, in which he present several interesting ideas around mind mapping: - A MM is like a photograph or... How to Mindmap Instruction video by Buzan Instruction video in which Tony Buzan explains what a Mind Map is. Also some useful advice is given on how to create goo... Mind Mapping Diagrams Mind Mapping Download and edit this 12manage PowerPoint graphic for limited personal, educational and business use. Republishing in ...

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