Power Mapping - Is Mind Mapping a serious tool? Here Clive Lewis, MD of Illumine Training, highlights the techniques that make Mind Mapping especially valuable for business executives and trainers alike.

We all live with pressure at work but what would you give for a tool that could improve your project management, that could bring your presentations to life, that could help you with information overload? Sounds unlikely? Well then you need to find out about Mind Mapping which promises all this and more.

So what are Mind Maps®?

Mind Maps have been defined as an expression of ‘radiant thinking’ – the natural way in which the human mind works. In essence they are a way of organising and presenting information in a way which correlates with the way we think. And we don’t think in lists or sentences – we think in images and key themes, shapes and patterns, all connected one to another.

Let me start with a simple example. Consider for a moment the word ‘holiday’ and as you do so become aware that a number of associated thoughts will instantly spring to mind …

These first thoughts are what are called Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs) and each of these will stimulate more ideas. For example if we take the ‘Sea’ limb you might also think of surf, dive, play, swim or beach – see above. And these words will also have further associations. And this is why this approach is called ‘radiant’ thinking. It all radiates from one central idea.

This approach provides us with our foundations for Mind Mapping. You simply start with a core idea and then you draw thick lines representing the BOIs radiating out from your central word or image. Have a look at a more complete Mind Map below on how to organise a business trip. It’s a classic map which depicts the issue at the centre, includes the BOIs branching out and then outlines a variety of other ideas that are associated with each of these branches.

So the next question is to ask how we can use Mind Mapping in our work.

Applying the map

There are all sorts of applications for Mind Mapping but I want to focus here on three areas in which it has proven to be particularly valuable.

Powerful presentations
One of the clearest examples of where Mind mapping is useful for both trainers and delegates is in the area of presentations. Let me provide an example.

Imagine I am making a presentation on something familiar like ‘leadership’. How might I use Mind Mapping to help me give a compelling talk?

Well the first step in this process would be for me to be clear on what I believe are the BOIs around such a topic and in this process Mind Mapping can help me to start gathering information and organising what I know about the subject. As you can see from the Mind Map below I have sketched out a central image and have included the main BOIs radiating off from this image as follows – Impact, Strategy, Barriers, Models, Skills and Benefits. If you were giving a presentation on this topic you might well have a different selection to these but for the purposes of this article what I have drawn up here provides an example of some key themes which would be relevant.

This non-linear map shows me the whole picture and from it I can now consider which are the priority issues to talk about. Importantly it provides structure both for me and for my audience. I can cover the themes one by one, speak to the key points and, importantly, stay on track. Such a clear visual structure provides me with a perfect platform from which I can respond to my audience’s needs.

Project working
In the teaching and application of project management Mind Mapping also has a number of practical uses? Take, for example, project planning. How do you consolidate all the information you want to consider at the start of a project? Is writing it down a sensible way forward? No. For planning you want something that is non-linear and which aids big picture thinking. Mind Mapping allows you to gather all the key facts on one page. It lets you see connections between different aspects of the project and provides a bird’s eye view of the territory you are about to enter.

Another aspect of project management in which Mind Mapping has applications is in idea generation. Mind Mapping can capture the output of brainstorms. The graphic aspect of the technique allows the facilitator to separate ideas and make links where none had been made before. Indeed research suggests that where Mind Mapping is used it doubles the amount of ideas generated by brainstorming groups.

And Mind Mapping is also a useful tool for problem solving within projects. Teams which are working with Mind Maps can open up new channels of communication, generate new perspectives and analyse their problems in ways which might not have been possible before. In this context Mind mapping often provides a new focus, looking at different elements of problems and highlighting where the real problems lie.

Information recall
The third application for Mind Mapping which I want to highlight is in the coding of data so that it makes information recall far easier. In a time of information overload this is vital but how exactly does Mind Mapping help?

In essence this process uses your creativity and associative memory. And here are some of the key techniques on which it is founded.

1. First you will notice that most Mind Maps are colourful. This is not accidental. The colour used separates out the main ideas and is stimulating for our minds. It makes the content easier to remember both for us and for our audience when we are presenting ideas.
2. You will also notice that there are a number of images used in various places in the Mind Map. As you will see, I am no artist, but that’s not the point. The images relate to particular branches, add visual impact and can be used instead of, or as well as, words. Our brains like such visual creativity and an image opens up associative thinking and captures the attention. In effect a picture speaks a thousand words.
3. You will also see that the lines radiating out from the central image are of varying thickness and that there is one descriptive word above each line. In this respect the thickness of the line denotes its relative importance and BOIs that reflect the main branches on this Mind Map are like chapter headings. A good way to think of these BOIs are as key concepts which allow the most associations. The use of a single word above each line is also important because every word has thousands of possible associations. One word per line helps clarity and comprehension and also enables better recall.
4. It’s a personal process. People Mind Map their ideas in different ways and this is important – there is no one ‘right’ way. You will have your own associations, your own graphic style and phrases that are meaningful to you. The guiding principle is to use image, colour, dimension and spacing in a way that appeals to you. That is what will make your Mind Map and the information coded within it memorable.

So does this relate to training and learning? Absolutely. Many trainers use Mind Maps to structure their sessions. Mind Mapping can also help when facilitating planning or problem solving sessions. And if trainers want to help their delegates to summarise the content of particular topics then Mind Mapping is an extraordinarily useful technique. It forces people to consider and capture the main themes and ensures that they code the information in such a way that it is memorable to them. As such it is ideal for revision purposes.

So is there a downside to Mind Mapping?

Of course no system is foolproof and Mind Mapping may take a little getting used to. Some people always prefer the familiar – even when that familiarity isn’t very effective – and Mind Mapping can appear to be just too colourful and creative for some. However it is worth knowing that millions of people now use Mind Maps – from the directors of multinational companies to five year old children, from parents to government leaders. Practise and you will soon find that you develop a style that works for you.

Another possible objection relates to the generation of Mind Maps. What happens when you get ‘stupid’ or frivolous associative thoughts? The problem here is that we sometimes label ideas that are unfamiliar, or which somehow seem out of place, as ‘stupid’ when in fact all we are doing is censoring. Actually our stupid ideas once examined are often our most creative, intuitive and original thoughts. If we want to get innovative we need to include all of our associations before considering at a later date what editing, refinements or changes we might want to make.

So my invitation to you is to start Mind Mapping right now. Don’t get discouraged if it takes you one or two tries. Any new way of working takes a bit of getting used to. What I can guarantee, however, is that if you persist with Mind Mapping you will quickly find it becomes an essential way of recording and storing information and will certainly improve your effectiveness at work.

How do you make a Mind Map?

Here is a guide although you can find a fuller explanation on www.mind-mapping.com

1. Take a blank piece of A4 paper and turn it on its side
2. Start in the centre and draw an image that represents the topic you are working on.
3. The main themes around the central image are like chapter headings. Draw thick lines which connect the themes to the main image and print one word associated with each of your themes in CAPITALS next to the line.
4. Start to add another level of thought, using thinner lines, linked to each theme. These are your associated thoughts. Attach words or images.
5. Add your personal touch. Make your map artistic, colourful and imaginative.
6. Add humour, exaggeration or absurdity wherever you can. Your brain will delight in getting enjoyment from this process.

Key applications for Mind Mapping in business

• Performance appraisals. It is time for your performance appraisal with your manager. Before the meeting your manager has asked you to think about your performance over the last year. Construct a Mind Map to look at the key issues that are likely to come up in such an appraisal including main areas of responsibility, successes, development needs, hopes for the future, support that you might need,
• Project planning. You are a working with a team on a project and you want to generate some creative ideas. Use a Mind Map with the team to get the big picture. Don’t rule anything out. See where the linkages are. Try to get everything you need to do on one page
• Decision making. You have a decision to make which may be work related or personal. What are the key issues that affect your decision? Put them all down and see what the factors are that affect those issues. You will quickly see where the energy around your decision lies and may also get a clear view about what is holding you back.
• Improve your performance. What are the factors that impact your own or your team’s performance? Look at the human issues as well as the organisational factors and consider your own motivation as well as that of your colleagues.
• Learning. When you are next revising for a course or any other piece of learning try Mind Mapping instead of note taking. Get creative and trust the process. Use all of the hints above to make your Mind Map distinctive, personal and visually stimulating and if it is important that you remember what you are being taught then review your Mind Map regularly to consolidate that learning. See how much faster a process it is.

Mind Mapping Software packages

Not surprisingly many people want an IT friendly version of Mind Mapping and MindManager is ideal in this context.

Robert Holt, the man responsible for running projects at NPR Online, is one user convinced of its benefits. Prior to using MindManager, Holt used a word processing package to plan projects but he now uses the software to create visual maps of project ideas and information. For example on one database integration project he used MindManager to create a map that visually laid out the advantages the combined database would offer users, as well as the problems with the current system.

Holt also uses MindManager to jump-start Microsoft Project. “Project is great for managing resources and timelines but it can be hard to get up and running,” he says. “With Project all tasks must be entered one after another -at the same level – and then indented. But with MindManager you add tasks as they occur to you and then drag-and-drop them into a logical structure. Then, when you export to Project, the lower branches are automatically defined as summary tasks.”

In another case Gill Isherwood, Head of Cheshire Merseyside Teaching PTC Collaborative, (the body that helps primary care trusts to build and maintain skills of all people who work in primary and community care) is finding MindManager increasingly useful for problem solving.

“We have just bought five licenses because it is so relevant for project work. In the planning phase of projects it ensures that we focus on the areas that are most appropriate for our skills and resources. And when we are working in a team it helps us to focus on areas in which we are struggling. For example on one project our communications approach was causing us some concern and we used MindManager to drill into our core issues. It helped us to identify the problem and from there we could engage in a practical discussion about what steps we needed to take.”

“We also expect it to be increasingly useful when we are facilitating large groups. I envisage people working in teams and using the software as the tool around which they can generate ideas. Then, when we come together, we can share our MindMaps and create a collective ‘master map’ which people can take away. In our work maintaining momentum is critical and MindManager will allow us to stay on track.”

Illumine Training are the world’s leading trainers in Mind Mapping for Business. We offer a number of training options through our practical training courses and seminars.

Illumine Business Mapping offers a comprehensive one day workshop in London and Manchester. This is also available in-house if you are looking to train a team or group. Find out more here.

We also offer a one hour online learning session. Not as comprehensive as our training course, it will give you the skills you need Mind Map in your workplace. The seminar is online, all you need is a PC, Internet connection, speakers (or headphones/telephone), pens and paper. So you can learn how to Mind Map all over the world. Find out more here.

Find out more about Mind Mapping Software here.

  

Tags: Appraisals, Business Mapping (Training), Decision making, Information recall, Learning and Studying, Mind Mapping Seminar (Training), Mind Mapping software, MindJet MindManager, Presentation techniques, Project management, Project working, Radiant thinking

This entry was posted on Friday, May 30th, 2008 at 9:18 am and is filed under Assimilate, Learning and Studying, Mind Mapping, Mind Mapping software. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.