## The Many Uses of Mind mapping You can use mind mapping in many areas: for brainstorming, to take notes, to plan an essay, in problem-solving, to analyse a system, as a first step to model strategy and projects, to collect information. Or simply to clarify your thinking. ![[mind map image.png|Example mind map illustrating technical content and actions for site creation|350]] As an example, this is a mind map from [Ayoa](https://ayoa.com/) defining the scope of the technical content and actions to create this site! ![[technical-content.png|Ayoa mind map defining technical content scope]] Below is a mind map created with Simplemind outlinig benefits of mind mapping, domains of use for mind mapping and an indication of mind mapping software. ![[mindmapping general.PNG|Simplemind mind map showing general mind mapping structure]] ## What is Mind mapping? Mind mapping can be useful to document business systems and in problem-solving or whenever you need to get some ideas down quickly, in meetings or to detail complex concepts. ![[mindmapping context.png|Mind map visualizing the context and uses of mind mapping]] ## The Value of Visual The visual-spatial nature of mind mapping can help to memorize; it taps into how we see the world. It allows us to express our thoughts and sentiments organically, in tune with how the brain actually generates them - non-linearly. Mind mapping is a way of collecting information related to a central theme or domain in a web-like structure. ## Mind mapping a complex world Mind mapping can be a tool in the information workers’ arsenal or for anyone who needs to summarize quickly, to help us sift through the plethora of emails, concepts, and subjects. Anything we need to manage. ## The Mind Mapping Process To create a mind map, get into a state of mind where you allow yourself to express freely. This may mean being in a quiet place, with at least one pomodoro (25 minutes) ahead of you. Don't worry if your thoughts wander. It’s normal to be distracted when you start thinking about something. It's easy to have extraneous thoughts. Try to capture them on your mind map as they come in. First mind dump and note what comes into your head. This is a creative state of generating ideas without filtering or judgement. You can sort and reorganize the content later. We might perceive the logic only later when we analyse rationally. ![[mind-mapping-process.png|Diagram of the mind mapping process steps]] It may be about making connections between seemingly disparate themes, linking them into projects that aim to address related items together. Software enhances this process because you can easily rearrange the nodes. On paper, it’s more about standing back, colouring-in, highlighting the important things, and doodling. Creating a mindmap on paper allows you to doodle, highlight, ring, emphasize, draw links, colour in, make a web. First create a central node. This can be any shape, but I like to keep it simple. Reinforce the main trunks of the web, make it look like a web of neurones. ![[paper-mindmap-about-time-mgmt.jpeg|Hand-drawn paper mind map about time management]] Recreating a paper mind map using software allows you organize and regroup your themes. Software is useful to sort and qualify themes > organize > project definition. Once you have the subject and the detail, you can start to analyse. What would your analysis focus on? How to achieve the project, make progress on research, build that house, solve the problem, complete the divorce?!! Use a concept map if there are several themes on the same level or if you aren’t sure what the central theme is. You can break down individual items into hierarchical structures, but many will remain on the same level. A concept map, such as the one below, doesn’t necessarily have one central theme, and simply maps connected themes. ![[mindmap-internet-site-plan.jpg|Concept map of an internet site plan with multiple themes]] ## The many uses of mind mapping To follow is an inventory of the many ways mind mapping can be used. To plan an essay, in meetings, in business analysis, in problem-solving, in defining projects, to build a presentation, to gather data or just when collecting thoughts on a theme. This mind map is created with Simplemind: ![[uses-of-mindmapping.png|Simplemind mind map showing various uses of mind mapping]] Here's a mind map of the possible uses of mind mapping created with mindmup. ![[possible-uses-of-mind-mapping.png|Mindmup mind map of possible uses for mind mapping]] ### Brainstorming on a mind map You can use a mind map to record the results of free-association brainstorming. Drop onto the page all the concepts related to a central subject, to collate individual work, or to assist teams in identifying ideas, even when the end points are as yet undefined. Start anywhere, at just one observable corner, and visualize links  to things you can name, or not. Even if it’s ‘I don’t know about…’, allow yourself to consider possibilities, solutions, comments, opinions, facts, or just in reference. The detail of an item can be fleshed out later. Brainstorming is essentially collective mind dumping, and while these aren’t the only ways to address problems, they can help to eke out an overall approach. The facilitator of such a session might aim to channel discussion a little, but just to promote free-associative thought. Participants will write down their ideas (Post-its are good for this), which are stuck on a whiteboard. Then, in analysis mode, you can move them, scribble around them, link them, and organize suggestions into logical groups. ### Using a Mind Map to Take Notes Taking notes with a mind map helps to focus on a central theme and related subjects rather than the time sequence of the meeting. - A speaker gets up to talk - They introduce the subject and make a point - Various other points arise during discussion - The meeting comes to a conclusion When taking notes, do you find yourself making what is in effect a list – one item after another – in the order of events? Have you thought that it might also be quite useful to group by subject? The mind map below illustrates the text above: ![[mindmap-manual.png|Manual mind map illustrating meeting notes structure]] As the meeting progresses, discussion may well return to the same topics; new information can be tacked on in the right places. The notation focuses, therefore, on the central theme rather than on the order. The simplest use of mind mapping is to take notes quickly. However, students might spend much of their energy writing, instead of using the time to understand the subject in hand. Many people do this sequentially, perhaps because this is how we were taught at school. It may seem logical to list one item after another in the order presented, but the thoughts you have and team discussions about the solutions are more likely to be random. This is a software version of the above paper mind map: ![[mindmap-meeting-notes.png|Software mind map version of meeting notes]] So a mind map helps you latch on to subjects as they come up, or as they return in discussion. You end up with a functional overview of the topics, rather than just the sequence of the meeting. ### Mind Mapping an Essay Plan You may need to clarify your thoughts on an area, whatever the context. Perhaps you’re writing a blog post, an essay, or identifying species of grass for a scientific study. You can make a list, but to get the whole picture, allow your mind to wander. Fire up your ability to make connections and record your ideas quickly. You can go back to flesh them out later. A mind map holds something magical over a list, and enables you to work on several fronts. The evolving mind map structure can accommodate all new ideas and will encourage you to generate more. ### Mind Mapping in Project Definition A mind map is ideal for gathering ideas when defining or scoping a project. ### Mind Mapping to Model Complexity Mind mapping can be used to model complex scenarios. You can use it to go down into some degree of detail, but most of all you can use it to express the many seemingly unrelated factors quickly that relate to a central theme. When you allow your mind to wander while focusing on a central domain, it will naturally throw out related factors by association. Mind mapping is therefore a perfect tool to note these down as they come and to classify things quickly at the top level or at the detailed level. This makes it an ideal method to take stock of and ultimately clarify a complex scenario with many levels, such as a system or a problem. ### Mind Mapping in Problem-Solving The first step of [[Issue Management Database#Problem Solving|problem-solving]] is to scope out the problem to understand it better. This model can be a mind map as a starting point to analyse the scenario and find solutions. One could describe business life as one long string of issues. The essence of problem-solving is data collection. Questions to ask might be - What is the observed phenomenon? - What difficulty does it pose? - What are the consequences and the potential resolutions? Identify all information without trying to determine what the solution might be until all sources have been assessed. ![[mindmap problem solving DFD.png|Mind map for problem solving and data flow diagram]] The solution may lie in making an inventory of, and connections between, the less obvious things. This is a mind map of themes focusing on technical translation. ![[mindmap-of-management.png|Mind map of themes in technical translation management]] The mind functions through neural connections, and the creativity in mapping systems comes from associating ideas, leading to new visions of previously unseen data. These can then be modelled into entity relationships and class diagrams. ### Mind mapping in Systems Modelling UML is a visual language that uses colour and form to complement the written description. Mind mapping is helpful to describe the real world as a precursor to more formal notation, and is a useful technique in categorizing informal or unstructured data. Mind mapping remains a powerful tool in the system architect’s armoury, in conjunction with UML, even in situations where the nature of the information is as yet unknown and the course of discussions uncharted. ### Mind Mapping in Business Analysis Mind mapping can be part of the initial steps in modelling to focus on how a system operates. It can bring together a wide variety of topics to document the relationships that affect a business area. It can participate in the process of designing future configurations and help an analyst quickly collect feedback on changes that users would like to see implemented. ![[mindmap-requirements-analysis.png|Mind map for requirements analysis in business]] Use a mind map to collect or brainstorm data, to structure, sort out and prioritize tasks and project options. Some ideas captured on the mind map will be incomplete, so it’s worth further analysing the ideas identified. Below is an example mind map using iMindQ to document a domain. ![[mindmap-it-and-evernote-business.jpg|iMindQ mind map documenting IT and Evernote business domain]] Mind mapping has proved valuable in software development, where interviews with users and key players cover many cross-threads of information. It not only helps keep focus but provides numerous collection points for similar themes, retaining the essence of what is discussed. You can generate a text summary directly from notes taken in this way using iMindmap and iMindQ. ### A Mind Map to Model Strategy A mind map can be a very to help identify subjects to develop. ![[mindmap-of-managing-priorities.png|Mind map modeling strategy and managing priorities]] iMindQ can transform a mind map into a schedule: ![[mindmap-project-wbs-in-imindq.png|iMindQ mind map transformed into a project work breakdown structure]] Mind mapping can form part of the project management cycle. A flowchart also presents information visually. ![[mindmap-analyse-transform-repeat.png|Mind map illustrating the analyse-transform-repeat cycle]] Mind mapping also taps into how we think and how we react with and perceive the world, a favourite subject for those who model human behaviour. The mind map below is organised vertically rather than radiating from a central node. ![[mindmap-uses-of-evernote.jpg|Vertically organized mind map showing uses of Evernote]] And like Jung, who didn’t believe in psychology alone, there must be more to it than that. ## Mind mapping Software We particularly like [Simplemind](https://simplemind.eu/), [Ayoa](https://ayoa.com), and [iMindq,](https://www.imindq.com/) which also allow you to transform a mind map into tasks. ### What to look for in mind mapping software - Both centralized theme and free layout. - It's useful to be able to customize the shape of links: straight cubic, or curvy. - It's nice to be able to *customize* top-down or a central theme. - It's useful to use colour and to be able to throw in images and photos. - Ability to write notes into nodes, and then be able to export all notes with nodes as headings, so that in effect you can generate a document with a mind map. - Ability to add tasks to a node and then, have a task list to see all the things to do. - Simple controls: tab to add a new child node, ENTER to add a new Sister node. - Ability to roll up all or selected levels. - Ability to add links to nodes - Ability to move nodes around easily both in position on same level, left, or right of centre and to make node a child or parent. - Ability to delete a node with a simple click and keyboard delete key ![[mindmap-software.jpg|Screenshot of various mind mapping software interfaces]] ### Mind mapping in Simplemind This is the mind map in Simplemind that we convert to an obsidian mind map. ![[Video Plan.png|Simplemind mind map for planning video content]] This video starts with a paper mind map of a plan to create videos for this site, and converts it into Simplemind. The second video then converts this Simplemind mind map into Obsidian.  This is the screenshot of the final mind map created in obsidian. You then have a mind map and an Obsidian document with all the required headings. ![[mindmap-in-obsidian.png]] ### Mind Mapping in Obsidian You can also create a mind map in Obsidian. [This video](https://youtu.be/7_Uq3_J66-A) looks at how to create a mind map in Obsidian using the Mind Map plugin by James Lynch. It shows how you can create a mind map in a note, as you add headings and subheadings and list items.  In this video [reposted here on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/ObsidianMD/comments/1h2k7sm/how_to_create_a_mindmap_in_obsidian/), we structure in Obsidian a mind map previously created on paper and in SimpleMind. We look at how to create a mind map in Obsidian using the [Nextgen Mind Map plugin](https://github.com/james-tindal/obsidian-mindmap-nextgen) originally by [James Lynch](https://github.com/lynchjames) and now carried forward by [James Tindal](https://github.com/james-tindal). In the video we create a mind map based on a note, and show how the mind map is generated as you add headings and subheadings and list items. The first title creates the central mind map node. And you can see how it creates additional mind map nodes as we create more headings and bullet list items. The example used In the video is based on a video plan previously created in a paper mind map and in SimpleMind. We just go through structuring it into an obsidian mind map. Once your mind map is done in Obsidian, you can then copy it as a screenshot. You then have a mind map and an Obsidian document with all the required headings. ### Other mind mapping software | Name | | Description | Cost | | -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------- | | [Mindmeister](http://www.mindmeister.com/) | ![[mindmeister logo.png\|50]] | MindMeister allows you and your team to be more innovative by providing a shared collaboration and brainstorming environment on the web. Plan projects, manage meetings and sketch out business plans online with partners and colleagues, all in real time! 3 maps free with free version. | | | [Lucidchart](https://www.lucidchart.com/) | ![[lucidchart logo.png\|45]] | LucidChart offers mind mapping but also many other templates such as flowcharts, entity relationship models and UML notations. 3 maps free with free version. It allows users to collaborate and work together in real time to create flowcharts, organisational charts, and mind maps. | | | [Miro](https://miro.com) | ![[miro logo.png\|50]] | Miro is an AI-powered online collaboration platform that provides an infinite digital canvas for brainstorming, planning, and building projects together.** It’s widely used by teams across industries to visualize ideas, accelerate workflows, and foster innovation in real time. 3 maps free with free version | | | [Mindmup](https://www.mindmup.com/) | ![[mindmup logo.png\|50]] | MindMup is a free, cloud-based mind mapping tool designed for fast idea capture, brainstorming, and collaborative planning. It emphasizes simplicity and speed, making it easy to create, share, and publish mind maps without distractions. Nice feel to it. | $2 per month | | [Ayoa](https://ayoa.com) | ![[ayoa-logo.png\|50]] | Ayoa is an AI-powered, neuro-inclusive productivity platform that combines mind mapping, task management, and whiteboarding into one workspace. It’s designed to help individuals and teams brainstorm, organize, and execute ideas visually, while supporting diverse thinking styles such as ADHD and dyslexia. Very nice mind maping and linked task planning. | $20 a month | | [Simplemind](https://simplemind.eu/) | ![[simplemind-logo.webp\|50]] | SimpleMind is a cross-platform mind mapping tool that helps organize thoughts, spark creativity, and improve memory. It offers free-form and auto layouts, unlimited map size, and multimedia integration like images, notes, and voice memos. With one-time purchase pricing, it’s widely used in education, business, and personal productivity for brainstorming, planning, and presenting ideas. | | | [Xmind](https://xmind.app/) | | XMind is a full-featured mind mapping and brainstorming software used by millions worldwide. It supports multiple structures—logic charts, fishbone diagrams, timelines, matrices—and integrates AI for project breakdowns, task planning, and Gantt chart tracking. Available across desktop, mobile, and web, XMind helps individuals and teams brainstorm, organize ideas, and manage projects visually with seamless collaboration. | | | [iMindQ](https://www.imindq.com/) | | iMindQ is a versatile mind mapping and visualization software designed to help individuals, teams, and organizations brainstorm, plan projects, and present ideas in a clear, structured way. It combines traditional mind mapping with advanced diagramming and project management features, making it useful across education, business, and personal productivity contexts. I really like it. | $63 per year | | [Coggle](https://coggle.it/) | | Coggle is another powerful tool for creating mind maps. It allows you to produce beautiful notes, quickly and easily. Share them with friends and colleagues to enhance your ideas collaboratively. All for free! | $5 a month | | [Bubblus](https://bubbl.us) | | Bubbl.us is a simple and free web application that lets you brainstorm online. You can create colourful mind maps online, share and work with friends,embed your mind map in your blog or website, email and print your mind map, save your mind map as an image. | $5 a month | | [Mindly](https://www.mindlyapp.com/) | | Slightly different concept, creates radial mindmaps | | | [Conceptdraw](https://www.conceptdraw.com/) | | Online only I think. Diagram, mindmap + Project Gannt. | $299 | | [MindManager](https://www.mindmanager.com/) | | Seems to be a visual project / task manager | | | [Mindmapper](https://www.mindmapper.com/) | | Organise, visualise, collaborate. Web and stand alone versions | | | [Mindomo](https://www.mindomo.com/) | | Focuses on layouts, seems to have all the features | | | [MindNode](https://www.mindnode.com/) | | Mindmap, outline, tasks | | | [Popplet](http://popplet.com) | | Popplet is a free online tool that allows you to create mind mapping and brainstorming diagrams. You may create a maximum of 5 Popplets. | Free or $2 per month | | [SpiderScribe](http://www.spiderscribe.net/) | | SpiderScribe is an online mind mapping and brainstorming tool. It lets you organize your ideas by connecting notes, files, calendar events, etc. in free-form maps. You can collaborate and share those maps online! | | | [Zenkit](https://zenkit.com/) | | Project Management, Processes, Communication, Scheduling, Documents, and Knowledge Sharing – all in one platform. Maps, kanban and calendar | | Creating and using mind maps is a great way to get students brainstorming ideas about a given topic, organize their thought processes and turn these ideas into a neatly written pieces. I have been using several web tools with my students over the past few years. From teaching vocabulary to getting students engaged in the pre-writing process, I found the functionalities and ease of use of these web tools a great way to enhance students productivity. See this [review of mind mapping software from the mind mapping software blog](http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/wp-content/mms-cc/Mind-Map-Software-Comparison-Chart.pdf) ## In summary Mind mapping is a versatile tool used in brainstorming, note taking, essay planning, problem-solving, and business analysis. It enables users to organize information visually related to a central theme, and helps clarify thoughts, enhance memory, and make connections between ideas. This non-linear, web-like structure mimics how the brain processes information, making it ideal for exploring complex concepts and generating creative solutions. The process involves a free-form ‘mind dump’, followed by the organization and analysis of ideas. In various professional contexts, such as meetings, project management, and systems modelling, mind mapping proves valuable by helping users capture and prioritize key points efficiently. With the aid of mind mapping software, users can easily rearrange ideas, create visual structures, and even transform these into actionable tasks or project plans. The flexibility of mind mapping makes it an effective tool for summarizing information, structuring projects, and solving problems. For reference, see the work by the original inventor [Mindmapping by Tony Buzan.](https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9780563520344?gC=5a105e8b&gclid=Cj0KCQiApbzhBRDKARIsAIvZue9hZVz8pFP0t1jnHos_KBs-Q1LWLrsNay1gBm3fojZurWvfT5xpV7EaArehEALw_wcB) We ran [[Mind Mapping Workshops]] in Tooting. If you would like further information on future workshops, please [[About mjl-tek#Contact Details for mjl-tek|contact us here]]. ## Other Posts We have also written about the following themes. [[Getting Things Done (GTD) framework|Getting Things Done]] is a toolbox of principles such as inbox, next action, someday lists that can help think clearly about work and achieving your goals. The [[Plan Do Check Assess cycle]] for continuous improvement and task management, replacing the notion of fault with learning and improvement. See our video. The [[Eisenhower Decision Matrix]], useful to determine priorities. It begs the question which tasks, activities, and projects are urgent and important.