mind maps applications and benefits

Mind Maps:Applications & Benefits

-Raghunath Soman

Agenda Overview of mind maps Benefits of mind maps Applications of mind maps Mind-mapping tools Case Study

© 1.00 FTE

What is a Mind-map?Tool to visualize thoughts, ideas, plans and

tasksItems are arranged radially around a

central key word or ideaEffective in:

Idea generation: enables free, unstructured flow of thoughts and ideas

Content visualization: brings out a clear picture of intended action

Data classification: helps in categorizing info, tasks and other elements

Information organization: serves as an abstract knowledge base

Mind-Map Examples

Mind-map by Chandra Dehankar, PSL

Mind-map Examples

Mind-map © Learning Fundamentals

AdvantagesBetter focus on the central ideaReduces mental clutter, Better clarity of thoughtsTriggers creative associations and relationshipsReduces note-taking and content-organizing timeA great way to add structure to brainstorming

sessionsNon-linear approach stimulates creativity and

free flow of thoughtsAbility to see the bigger picture without losing

attention to detailsImproves memory and retention

ApplicationsProject PlanningProblem Solving Outline / Framework designStructure / Relationship representationsMeetings: Planning, Note-taking and

summarizingBrain-storming / Collaboration / Creativity

sessionsDecision-making TeachingWriting: technical /Non-technical

Mind Mapping ToolsCommercial: Mind ManagerFeature-rich,

industrial strength Ribbon interfaceSeamless

integration with MS- Office and MS-Project

Export to multiple formats

Free: FreeMindFree, desktop

applicationKeyboard-friendly Export to HTML,

XHTML, PDF, PNG, SVG, Flash, Wiki

Extensive support and documentation!

Mind Mapping ToolsWeb-based: MindMeisterFree, web-based Minimal, simplistic

UIExport to text

outline, PDF, JPG, PNG, or GIF.

Other: Pen & Paper!Pen-and-paper is

one of the most effective combinations

Writing helps you remember!

Creating a mind-mapStart with a central idea.Draw at least 4 branches radiating outwards from

the central image. Write “key topic” words along these branches.Draw additional branches that extend from your

main branches. The words on these branches are essentially sub-topics of the words you wrote on your main branches.

Keep expanding the Mind Map outwards with additional sub sub-topics / key words and branches.

Interlink the branches/nodes with each other whenever an association exists.

Mind Maps: Personal

Mind-map © Sherry

Mind Maps: Professional

Mind-map © MSDN

Case Study: Orange Byte transformationOrange Byte is the quarterly newsletter

published out of Persistent Systems, Nagpur center.

The team used mind-maps for the October/Diwali 2012 edition.

Mind-maps covered:-Milestones PlanningFramework Set-upContent GatheringDesign DecisionsTools ImplementationOwner Responsibilities

Case Study: Orange Byte transformation

Case Study: Orange Byte transformationBusiness Benefits / Value Addition:Professional and structured approach to

newsletter release to ensure that the edition was published on time and exceeded the reader expectations

A content-rich edition that boasted maximum number of articles, poems and sections. It is worth noting that the team decided to reserve some of the content for future editions.

Elegant design that perfectly reflected the festive season of Diwali

Mind-maps: Industry view Virtually all Fortune 500 companies use Mind Mapping*, including:

“…advanced software can help us slice and dice information in ways that were impossible only a decade ago. But while we’ve gone a long way towards optimizing how we use information, we haven’t yet done the same for knowledge…OneNote and a new generation of ‘mind-mapping’ software can be used as a digital ‘blank slate’ to help connect and synthesize ideas and data— and ultimately create new knowledge.” – Bill Gates, Newsweek, (2009)

* InnovationTools.com, Dec.2009

IBM BBC

Hewlett-Packard Boeing

Oracle General Motors

Microsoft Walt Disney

Further mind-mapping…Mind Map Inspiration Blog by Paul Foreman“The Mind Map Book” by Tony Burzan

(1993)LifeHacker.com

http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/

http://www.mindmapinspiration.com/

mind maps applications and benefits

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