How do you map your mind?

What tools are you using to sort through complex concepts, map what you have in mind or brainstorm with your clients?

I have been using Mindjet’s MindManager. It has evolved being an indispensable tool for me. With the latest version Mindjet added online group collaboration as well. For those of you who are not familiar with mind-mapping software, I can say that it is a powerful visual outlining tool combined with project management and presentation capabilities. How you use it is really up to you. Possibilities are endless.

I use it for brainstorming sessions (with a projector) where the group can see dynamically the ideas put on the wall. Sometime in the session (when there are enough ideas generated) I begin grouping them with the help of the group. Seeing ideas grouped in a map generates further discussion; the group either gravitates towards select ideas or realizes that there is a need for new ideas.

Probably the most use I get out of MindManager is when I am about to start a project and I want to organize all of my thoughts and research. I mind map the results I want to achieve, obstacles, resources, capabilities and gaps, and all of the web research I make. Then I can put a PERT chart with all of the info I need to link to a specific task; files on my hard disk, links on the web, resource and milestone information. I have not used all of the powerful features the version 8 provides yet, but I look forward to using them.

As an example I created this mind map in a matter of minutes about Product Marketing and Management processes. This is the top level. You will be able to expand at each level once it is complete.

There are some free mind mapping software that you can download and experiment (FreeMind). Once you believe mind-mapping is a good idea, as I have, then I highly recommend purchasing the MindManager. I used FreeMind and then I tried MindManager. It is worth paying for a professional tool with comprehensive features and good support.

Mindjet is a sponsor for IMC NorCal, and has been generous enough to provide us a copy for the drawing at our last event.

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Comment by Christopher Richards on April 6, 2009 at 8:56am: I first heard of mind-mapping when I was a student in the UK. I think the Open University had Tony Buzan explaining how it works. This was back in the 1970's. I've used the method ever since. I like to use a pencil and paper whenever possible. That's just my technological preference. But it's fast and flexible. I use the mind-map technique to pull out the ideas in books and articles I've read. I think of this as reactive mind-mapping, but it's perfect for generative efforts too. I use it from everything from getting main ideas down for later organization into an article or book outline, to working with clients on getting clear about what they want to achieve.

My mind-maps aren't that pretty as they aren't intended for public consumption. However, here is my mind on reading Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point. I use this rather old example as I'm sure everyone here has at least heard of it, if not read it.

Comment by Christine Temple-Wolfe on February 25, 2009 at 5:16pm: My team recently started using Dropbox...easy to use so far and cost-effective.

Comment by Barbara Chan on January 20, 2009 at 12:18am: I find Mind Mapping very useful. I was trained in the Tony Buzan methodology some years ago and have taught it to many of my clients. Although I've tried using some of the electronic software for mind mapping, I prefer to draw the maps on large wall charts for my face to face meetings where I use graphic notation (pictures) as well as words to capture the meaning of what my clients have to say. We have used them for "dissecting" issues, strategic planning, business planning, decision-making and more. As someone trained in science (ecology and biology) before psychology, and someone who sees things from a systems perspective, I like that mind mapping mirrors the neural networks in our brains. And as a visual learner, I like being able to use different colors for the themes to help people make distinctions and connections between the different branches.

I can see how an electronic version would be helpful for distributed teams and virtual partners. I would be interested in test driving MindManager, as it is not one of those that I tried out several years ago. Thanks for your review Ahmet.