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How to Solve Problems Using Mind Maps

Last Updated: August 4, 2021

This article was co-authored by Jeff Siegel . Jeff Siegel is a Holistic Life Coach and the Founder of Jeff Siegel Wellness. With nearly 10 years of experience, he specializes in mind-body medicine, life coaching, health and wellness coaching, mindfulness, corporate training, and transformational public speaking. He received a Master of Education from Harvard Graduate School of Education, a Master of Buddhist Studies from The University of Hong Kong, and a BSc in Neuroscience & Biology from Emory University. He’s also a certified personal trainer, a certified Eating Psychology Coach, and a certified Koru Mindfulness Teacher. This article has been viewed 88,558 times.

If you want to solve a problem, it's a good idea to combine

• mind mapping and
• problem solving tools (like brainstorming, asking questions, drawing a diagram...).

This way, you can profit from the benefits of each approach. (If you are not yet familiar with mind mapping, have a look at the wikiHow article How to Make a Mind Map)

• Avoid a description of your problem that is too narrow.

• I = identify problems and opportunities
• D = define alternative goals
• E = explore possible strategies
• A = anticipate and act
• L = look and learn.

• Develop your ideas in subbranches.
• Use problem solving tools for each stage.
• You find a collection of problem solving tools in the "Tips" section below.

• See the video below for an example.

Expert Q&A

• For each of the IDEAL stages, you can assemble a number of useful tools.
• Understand the problem
• Devise a plan
• Carry out the plan
• Review/extend
• For more detailed information, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_P%C3%B3lya

Things You'll Need

• blank paper, size A4 or larger
• pens, preferably in different colours
• optional: text markers
• this is great for keeping your tool map up to date
• Freeplane (download at http://freeplane.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page ) or
• FreeMind (download at http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page ).

You Might Also Like

• Bransford, J.D.; Stein, B.S.: The IDEAL Problem Solver. W.H. Freeman and Company, New York 1993 (Source for the IDEAL strategy)

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23 mind map examples for brainstorming & planning

Whether you're designing a product, managing your strategy , or defining project goals, visually communicating an idea helps collaborators understand what you want to accomplish. If you're having trouble putting your idea on paper, a mind map can help get you started.

Mind maps are diagrams that start with a central concept or question, and branches into subtopics and related ideas. These maps help you visualize how ideas connect so you can find new solutions.

In this article, we share 23 mind map examples and templates to help you find the best one for your next project.

1. Simple mind map example

Best for: first-time mind mappers and ideas that need developing

The simple mind map template centers around a main topic, goal, or problem. This brainstorming tool offers a shared visual space to put your ideas on paper (or an online whiteboard ). This mind map illustrates how ideas flow and branch into subtopics.

The sky's the limit when it comes to how you can use and adapt this mind map template to your own needs. A project manager might use it to:

• Brainstorm project requirements: You can use a mind map to break a big project into smaller pieces or individual steps.
• Present ideas to stakeholders: Mind maps present complex ideas in a simple format, making it easy for big-picture thinkers to understand the project.

Design tip: Start with one central theme and collaborate with your team to collect new ideas and flesh out concepts during a brainstorming session.

2. Bubble map example

Best for: early-stage planning and collaborative brainstorming

Bubble maps are a popular mind map type. While the simple mind map template includes subcategories, not all bubble maps take that approach. Instead, use them in early-stage brainstorming to help your team lay out core ideas. Once everyone contributes their suggestions, you can assign roles or create a project plan .

Design tip: Color-code bubbles to categorize them or note who added them.

3. Flow chart example

Best for: proficient mind mappers tackling more complex projects

Flow charts create more dynamic connections between subtopics than other mind maps. While most mind maps revolve around a central idea, flow charts outline a series of steps and processes from beginning to end. Their branching structure can also map different routes to the same solution or workflows teams follow in parallel.

On the product side, creating a flow chart visualizes how you want to make a deliverable or how users will interact with it. The sequence of steps helps order your priorities and fine-tune processes.

Design tip: Use arrows to denote the flow of information or the order in a process.

4. Problem-solving mind map example

Best for: individuals or teams solving an issue

A problem-solving mind map drills down on a central issue, its causes, and solutions, detailing the complexity of a problem. Causes, effects, and any unintended consequences of your response all tie together. As a result, problem-solving maps frame a challenge from every angle.

This map plays a role when:

• Facing a complicated business problem
• Organizing a response to an issue
• Outlining the causes of a challenge you’re facing
• Weighing solutions to find one that’s the quickest or most cost-effective

Design tip: Color-code your responses based on who’s tackling each aspect of a problem.

5. Opportunity solution brainstorming example

Best for: managers and teams working toward a specific outcome

This mind map helps you brainstorm solutions to create a desired outcome. Unlike problem-solving templates, this map focuses on an end goal, not an obstacle in your way. It breaks comprehensive goals into more manageable stages and lets you note any resources needed along the way.

For a better collaboration, review the mind map with your team for their insight and revisions. After a project starts, teams can use the template to stay coordinated and on the right track.

Design tip: Color-code boxes or lines for business objectives to note which teams handle which solutions.

6. Project management example

Best for: project managers looking to visualize complex projects

A project management mind map lets you focus on project specifics without losing sight of the big picture. Large projects can take coordination between departments. This map shows how teams work alongside each other to meet specific goals, and managers can use it to improve workflows and increase efficiency. You can also use this mind map to:

• Facilitate project meetings
• Split tasks among your team
• Define team goals and priorities
• Onboard new software
• Document problems and potential solutions
• Map out the steps to achieve project goals

Design tip: To limit the size of your mind map and stay organized, consider breaking off secondary processes into a new mind map.

7. Time management example

Best for: project managers assigning and prioritizing tasks

This time management template uses the mind map format to order tasks over a project lifecycle. You can consider the project the central topic for this chart. Arrows leading to a milestone contain steps in development. The template also gives space for requirements, team assignments, or tools needed to complete tasks.

Time management mind maps help teams and stakeholders gauge progress over a project lifecycle. If certain steps run under or over time, you can make changes to the timeline.

8. Product development mind map example

Best for: product managers, designers, and developers

This product map template breaks new initiatives into features, story points, and debts. For agile developers, this map outlines their process in clearly defined steps and sprints. Thanks to its nonlinear structure, teams can see how they work in tandem. It also encourages collaboration with a suggestion box in the corner.

Mapping developers' progress on a shared map makes tracking each team’s dev work easy. You can also use the map to check which devs have tackled a particular feature or story point. This mind map organizes fast-paced development into an easy-to-read format.

9. Business planning example

Best for: founders, investors, and business leaders who want to visualize their strategies

Business plans are documents listing a company’s objectives, identity, and processes. This mind map visually organizes and connects related parts of a business plan, which helps you brainstorm the steps to your goals, choose where to invest resources, and refine your strategic planning .

This holistic view of your business should include a few key elements:

• A high-level description of your company
• The products or services you offer
• Marketing strategies based on your competition
• Financial information
• Management summaries for your team and company leaders
• Operations information on your teams and processes

Design tip: Use the mind map at the center of this chart to lay out core business information. The surrounding diagrams help build out these initial ideas.

10. Organization structure example

Best for: HR and management teams

An organization structure mind map outlines the departments and teams within a company. You can use it to identify leaders who make decisions and employees who carry them out. Lines between roles also show who reports to whom.

Employee icons can list an individual’s role and other helpful information, like the time zone they work in. As a result, you can see who is responsible for what. New hires can also use this mind map to learn the company structure.

11. Logistics flow example

Best for: distributors and order fulfillment teams

A logistics flow mind map visualizes how you fulfill customer orders. The chart notes internal distribution to warehouses and customer deliveries, outlining the next step at every distribution stage.

When delivering items at a large scale, well-defined processes are key. This mind map charts a consistent process you can use for order fulfillment. It also visualizes the ramifications of changing your approach, reminding you how changes affect downstream steps.

12. Financial planning example

Best for: individuals setting a budget

A financial planning mind map tallies income, expenses, and financial goals. The map organizes short-term expenses like bills and long-term ones like retirement savings. It also tracks your current income and future earnings from a pension.

This template paints a holistic picture of your cash flow and income-to-expenses ratio. It also lets you weigh financial goals against your current financial position so, you can set attainable goals and avoid overspending.

13. Sales funnel example

Best for: sales managers and their teams

This sales funnel template maps the process of moving leads down the sales funnel. The subpoints related to each topic sit inside the funnel instead of in nodes. Under each topic, you can note problems, methods, and considerations for moving customers along.

Sales methods tend to change over time—documenting your approach can help improve your process or switch tactics if one strategy doesn't interest leads. Specifically, you might use this map when deciding how to approach a lead or collaborating on new sales strategies.

14. Human resources onboarding example

Best for: HR employees

This mind map lists your HR department’s tasks when onboarding a new hire. The mind map breaks up priorities based on time, so the tasks due before, during, and after the new hire’s first day appear in their own category.

This chart keeps HR teams organized during onboarding. HR leaders can also give it to new hires for reference or share it with managers to refine their processes as business needs change.

Design tip: Include a picture of the employee and some basic information to personalize the chart.

15. Job hiring example

Best for: managers and HR teams

This mind map charts the process of filling a job opening on your team. Unlike the onboarding template, this map follows a more high-level approach. It breaks the main hiring steps into subcategories and allows you to fill in company-specific information for your hiring strategy.

Job hiring templates help managers and HR teams design a hiring process where they can cooperate on strategic decisions and priorities. Listing job criteria and hiring best practices on this mind map also keeps them accessible.

16. Web design example

Best for: domain owners and Web designers

This Web design template gives a high-level overview of what will go onto your Web pages. This map paints a picture of your Website’s UX by including high-priority links in the header and footer, search functions, and images. While you can organize pages for blogs and features, that doesn’t come at the cost of mapping your core page structure.

You might use this template when:

• Working in the early stages of Web design
• Picking your Website’s core functions
• Designing your Website’s interface

17. Site map example

Best for: Web designers and developers

This site map template allows you to map out how pages connect on your Website. While the Web design template focuses on UX, this chart focuses more on subdomains and links connecting pages. Illustrating your site architecture helps optimize it and ensure pages link together intuitively. Managers and Web designers can also share suggestions and feedback on the map.

18. Blog structure example

Best for: content marketers and Web developers

Blog mind maps visualize the structure of an SEO-optimized blog page. They list the categories covering topics related to your business and the number of articles within them.

Developers can use this template to understand the full scope of a blog they'll build. It also allows marketers to hone in on keywords that capture the most traffic. Since blogging is an important marketing element, building an optimized blog can draw in new customers and help define your user personas .

Design tip: Include topic ideas underneath the lowest boxes to brainstorm the kinds of articles you want to write.

19. Meeting agenda example

Best for: meeting leaders or team members who want to contribute to an agenda

This meeting agenda template blurs the line between a mind map and an agenda. Like a mind map, it's built around a central topic—in this case, the meeting—and team members can add discussion points or additional notes. Your agenda outlines the points covered in your meeting, whether it's a regular get-together or preparation for a new project.

20. Transportation example

Best for: individuals and businesses planning transportation

Transportation mind maps outline the logistics of planning transport. They account for the cost, time, and resources that go into getting from point A to point B. You can also adjust these variables based on where you're going and when. This chart lets you organize transportation options in a central place your team can refer to at any time.

21. Event planning example

Best for: event organizers

An event planning mind map outlines the tasks needed to prepare for a special occasion. Instead of branching into nodes around a central topic, categories revolve around tasks due at different intervals. You can also enter event details and ideas into an overview section. This template helps event planners stay organized and share their schedules with vendors and other stakeholders.

22. Note-taking example

Best for: those taking meeting or class notes

Note-taking templates provide a visual alternative to writing bulleted notes on a page. With this template, you can note how broad concepts break off into smaller ideas and explain their differences.

This template shows visual learners how ideas connect, and conveys information more quickly than reading down lists of facts on a page making it one of the best mind map examples for students. Use it for:

• Listing crucial ideas during a lecture
• Sharing information with someone who couldn’t attend a meeting
• Summarizing the main points in a lesson

If you're looking for a more straightforward note-taking template, consider these:

• Meeting notes template
• Sticky notes template

23. Creative writing example

Best for: writers and editors who create story overviews

Creative writing mind maps visualize the most critical elements of a story—your plot, characters, themes, and setting all relate when writing a narrative. With this map, you can create a visual relationship between specific themes, chapters, and characters.

Mapping a story lets you hone in on its most essential qualities. Whether that means charting a central theme or the story's climax, you can highlight the story's main message. You can also use this template to pitch your story to agents and publishers.

5 key characteristics of mind maps

If you’re new to diagramming, you might not recognize mind maps on sight. Plenty of diagrams help with brainstorming, but mind maps play a key role in early-stage ideation and planning. Typically, a mind map has five elements:

• The chart revolves around a central image or idea.
• Themes branch out from the main idea.
• These branches include a keyword or image labeled on their lines.
• Less important topics typically only appear as "twigs" on these branches.
• The branches form a unified structure made up of individual nodes.

Mind mapping FAQ

We’ve answered a few common questions about mind maps below.

What is the best type of mind map?

The best mind map depends on the specific task you’re planning for. When you need to manage a project, design a Website, or make financial plans, there’s a mind map for it. If you’re in the early planning stages, a general template will likely suit you better. For that, we recommend the simple mind map , bubble map , or flow chart .

What mind-mapping best practices should I keep in mind?

On top of choosing the right template, here are a few tips to make the most of your mind map:

• Color-code related ideas to visually associate them.
• Use arrows and icons to show how ideas connect.
• Make sure your mind map branches out from one central topic or idea.
• Keep the text short and clear to let the visuals convey information.

Do I need mind map software?

You don't need a dedicated service to make or customize mind maps. However, platforms like FigJam offer the chance to collaborate on mind maps remotely via our online whiteboard tool. We also provide a library of over 300 templates to help kick-start your creativity.

Improve team collaboration with FigJam

Mind maps aren’t just places to list ideas. As you can see from the mind map examples above, these diagrams give you the space to think through solutions and explore ideas collaboratively.

The good news is, you don't have to create a mind map from scratch. Get started on your next project using our FigJam mind map template . We also provide a library of over 300 templates to help kick-start your creativity.

How to Use Mind Mapping for Problem Solving

Why create a mind map.

Mind mapping is among the business analysis techniques that provides a visual representation of ideas, thoughts, problems… anything. It’s a great brainstorming tool for generating new ideas and exploring a problem. There’s no real rules to using mind maps. You just enter your central idea, maybe it’s a requirement or a problem, and then start adding everything that comes to mind. Mind maps are excellent in interviews and workshops, or as a personal thinking tool.

In this post you will be given the steps to creating a mind map.

Impress both your team and your clients!

Looking to streamline your business analysis process and produce high-quality work more efficiently? Check out this collection of customisable business analysis templates! With a range of templates to choose from, you can be sure to find the perfect solution for your needs and take your analysis to the next level.

Step 1 – Identify the central idea and add it to your mind map

Maybe you’ve been told to develop requirements for a new system. The business has stated “We need a new bug management system because we are getting too many product bugs reported back to us by our customers.” At this point it would be easy to assume that we should indeed investigate a new system or, exploring the issue closer, there may be other factors that could be resolved first.

I use the free software called FreeMind  to create my mind maps. However, some requirements management tools, such as Sparx Enterprise Architect, also offer mind mapping functionality. You could also use Visio, Powerpoint or any tool that can draw circles and lines.

Step 2 – Identify the main areas that impact the problem

When you’ve added to the central concept to the mind map just start adding your ideas around it. To organise my thinking I use the  six categories for describing a problem: strategy, service, process, applications, information and infrastructure.  It helps to have some structure or starting point for generating ideas. The diagram below shows the “high level of product bugs” example with the six categories as a starting point for generating ideas.

Step 3 – Brainstorm things that impact each of the 6 categories

Around the central idea or, in this case, the central problem, I added six categories and then let loose on a few things that may be a contributing factor to the “high level of reported product bugs” problem. The ideas were written down as they were identified and in no particular order. Reordering and culling can come later.

The important thing is to continue generating ideas until all of the obvious ones are exhausted. This way the real thinking and creativity in exploring the problem can begin.

Mind maps are a powerful business analysis technique for brainstorming ideas and uncovering the root cause of problems.

As you can see in the example above, a lot of ideas were generated from a quick 20 minute session with a mind map. The new identified ideas could be used as central concepts for further analysis. For example, under the “process” category above, the issue identifying poor QA and release processes could be used as a central concept for further exploration. This is because maybe a new system is not required.

A review of current processes, some re-engineering, and re-configuration of the current system may shed better light on how well bugs are being managed and resolved before they are found by the customer. That way management can implement new strategies to reduce the level of report product bugs.

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January 28, 2020

How to use mind maps for problem solving.

by Louise Cunnah posted in Quick Tips .

Problem solving is an essential skill that can help us succeed, and it is one that we use each and every day – often without realizing it. Whether you’re at school, work or home, problems and obstacles occur all the time, at any moment – so it is important that you can provide quick and imaginative solutions to them.

Being able to solve problems is also one of the major attributes looked for by universities and employers as it displays both logical and creative thinking. It also shows drive and endurance as more complicated problems may require you to try a number of different solutions until you find one that fits.

Fortunately, problem solving is a skill that can be learned, and there are a number of tools and techniques that can aid you in this process. In this article, discover how mind maps can help you with problem solving, whether in the office, at home or in the classroom.

Why use mind maps for problem solving?

Using mind maps can help to bypass the usual panic instinct of the brain when confronted with a problem to solve. When faced with a problem, we automatically panic, experiencing a whole host of unpleasant symptoms – physical and non-physical. When we enter panic mode, we can experience feelings of intense fear, a racing heart, breathlessness and trembling. This isn’t ideal for getting into a problem-solving frame of mind!

Instead of ‘forcing’ your mind to come up with a solution that can result in stress, mind mapping opens up possibilities and allows you to remain calm. When using mind maps for problem solving, you instantly gain more clarity so you can find the answers you need more easily. This enables you to view the problem as a positive challenge and an opportunity to show off your creative skills.

One reason that mind maps are so effective is that they contain all the elements of your problem in one visual ‘take’ – thus enabling you to see them at a glance. Here’s why their format makes them such a useful problem-solving tool:

• Mind maps prioritize the most important aspects of the problem at hand, which focuses your mind. This is due to the fact that the branches of a map should contain single keywords or short phrases, rather than countless lines of text.
• The use of colors and images stimulate your brain, meaning that you are engaged and ready to solve the problem.
• Mind maps start with a central concept or idea, with additional ideas radiating outwards as branches. By using radial thinking in this way, your brain is able to use word association, helping you to generate many creative solutions.

How to solve problems with mind maps

Unsure of how to start using mind maps as a problem-solving tool? We recommend making two separate mind maps; one for the problem itself, and one for the possible solutions.

Begin by mapping out the problem:

• Make the problem the central idea of your first mind map.
• Add all the aspects and causes of the problem as main branches, then investigate these in further detail with sub-branches.

By exploring the problem in this way, you should begin to realize why the problem occurred and what you can do to improve the situation.

Now create your second map for possible solutions:

• Make ‘Solutions’ your central idea.
• Add all of the routes through which you could solve the problem as main branches in the map. Include any colleagues, organizations, techniques or resources that could help and make sub-branches to explore the details of these further.

Create a final branch with the most suitable solution or combination of solutions for this particular problem, then add sub-branches of the details and how you plan to implement this.

By using mind maps for problem solving, you will realize that one obstacle could potentially have many solutions. You should also be able to determine which option is most cost-effective, practical or time-saving.

What are the benefits of mind maps for problem solving?

Mind mapping is such a beneficial tool for problem solving because it can help you structure your thoughts, and gives you complete control over your problem, which will enable you to think more creatively and logically in a stable framework. This ‘big picture’ way of looking at your problem will open up limitless possibilities and engage your brain, stopping the panic instinct!

Other great ways to keep calm when problem solving are:

• Taking a walk – The Romans believed in a principle called ‘solve it as you walk’. This requires you to remove yourself physically from the problem, take in some fresh air, and become creatively inspired.
• Steady breathing – Research proves that controlling your breathing can reduce your heart rate and improve the flow of oxygen around your body.
• Daydreaming – Take your mind off the problem briefly and engage your mind in a focused daydream (i.e. directly thinking about the problem at hand). This will instantly make you feel calmer, more positive and creative.

Using Ayoa mind maps to solve problems

Traditionally, mind maps are drawn by hand. However, by using mind mapping software (such as Ayoa ), you can collate all the information you have about the problem in one place, including any resources that could help you form a solution. For example, you can attach files to your map’s central idea or branches so you can refer back to them whenever you need – such as a budget spreadsheet, video or Word document.

With a range of information at your fingertips, you’ll feel ready to tackle your problem, and more in control than ever before. Ayoa also enables you to quickly edit the information in your maps and easily share them with others – making them great for collaborative working .

In this article, you will have discovered how mind mapping can calm you down, focus your mind and generate limitless solutions when you’re faced with a problem. Next time you need a solution, don’t get stressed – get mind mapping! Find out more about mind mapping with Ayoa or try it for free today .

Louise Cunnah

Louise Cunnah has always had a passion for the written word, leading to her studying English, Media and Journalism at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Since graduating in 2014, she has held a number of different roles in marketing, both agency-side and in-house for brands like Ayoa. She loves taking on a challenge and has written content on a diverse range of subjects over the years, including horticulture, business management, telecommunications, health and safety, productivity, neurodiversity, and personal finance (to name but a few!).

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How to Brainstorm with Mind Maps

Planning for more effective brainstorming.

Brainstorming has become a buzzword used for many different purposes. It is a powerful tool to help you create and grow ideas , alone or in a group. Its power lies in the simplicity of the application, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. So, what is brainstorming and how can you use mind maps to improve your next brainstorm? In this article, you’ll learn more about brainstorming, how to properly prepare for an effective brainstorm, and finally, why you should use mind maps for your next session. 

Brainstorming 101

Brainstorming is known as a technique for generating ideas, finding solutions and solving problems . According to Alex F. Osborn , American ad executive and the father of brainstorming, “brainstorming means using the brain to storm a creative problem and to do so in commando fashion, with each stormer audaciously attacking the same objective.”

Now, you’ve probably used brainstorming for work, school, or even when planning a personal project or vacation. So you know brainstorming is an incredibly powerful tool to master. When done right, it can be effective at drawing out new ideas . When done wrong, it can be a waste of time. 

Individual Versus Group Brainstorming

You can absolutely brainstorm alone. For many projects, solo brainstorming sessions are sufficient. But, if you’ve got a large or particularly difficult problem to solve, a group session may lead to better results . In a group, a large number of ideas can be generated in a short amount of time. Additionally, when you brainstorm with a diverse group, unique solutions tend to crop up because brainstorming makes it possible to productively tap a group’s creative intelligence and generative potential. 

If you can’t meet with a group in person, there are several options for remote brainstorming . Using a web-based tool will allow you to collaborate with a group of people no matter where you are. There are many options for brainstorming tools that allow you to collaborate in real time. In particular, using collaborative mind mapping software allows you to work together in real time and then organize the groups’ thoughts quickly and easily. Regardless of the approach you take, whether in person or remote, you need to do a bit of advanced preparation before you get started.

Lay the Groundwork

There are a lot of best practices involved in effective brainstorming. If the right environment is created, brainstorming can be highly effective . Better planning makes brainstorming more productive. As with any endeavor, it is essential to prepare, follow a structured process, and when needed, get help from a professional. 

So, how do you prepare your brainstorming session for success?

Define the Ground Rules

Effective brainstorming doesn’t limit ideas or stifle creativity with too many rules. However, it is important to outline specific guidelines to encourage individual contributions. Before the brainstorming session begins, draft some participation rules to share with the group. Here are a few rules you should include: 

• Define the problem that needs to be solved.
• Implement the “Yes, and” method . 
• Write down all ideas, not just the “good” ones.
• Make sure everyone shares at least one idea. 

Learn from the experts. The team at IDEO is comprised of design-thinking experts. They’ve crafted a downloadable rules sheet for your next brainstorming session.

Download the rules sheet now.

Play by the Rules

Now, it might seem counterintuitive to have rules for a process that should be open and creative . But as Brendan Boyle, IDEO Partner and IDEO Play Lab Founder says,

“Done right, brainstorming can be amazing. It’s a lot like a game. If no one plays by the rules, it’s a disaster. But follow them and you’ll be surprised at how freeing and fruitful it can be.” Brendan Boyle, IDEO Partner and IDEO Play Lab Founder

Rules help to provide structure so everyone knows what to expect and how to contribute.  Now that the rules are in place, you’re ready to organize the next steps. 

Define the Process and Tools

It is critical to get everybody involved in the process. Consider the needs of your team and organization by asking yourself: How can you get the maximum out of a meeting to spark new ideas or creative solutions? How can you give everybody an equal voice in meetings and generate ideas?

To make sure everyone has an equal voice, try using online, web-based software. A collaborative brainstorming tool, like MindMeister , can successfully help you capture individual and group contributions , whether you are in a room together or brainstorming remotely. And, mind maps allow you to visualize the thinking of all participants. 

Nominate the Right Facilitator

For brainstorming to work, you need an insightful and flexible facilitator. This can be a person in your team who is nominated to lead the effort by outlining and implementing the ground rules, keeping time during the brainstorming process, and making sure that things run smoothly. 

The right facilitator needn’t be a trained professional. They should have some experience with brainstorming sessions, be a good communicator, and most importantly, be unbiased. The brainstorming group needs to be guided by the facilitator, so it is essential to have a leader who is appointed within your team, or you might consider hiring an external facilitator if no internal person fits the criteria.

Invite Your Dream Team

When assembling your brainstorming group, it is important to consider what skill, expertise, or perspective each person brings to the table. The right combination of people will result in more, and often, better ideas . Not every person invited should be an ‘expert’. In fact, non-experts often bring novel ideas and perspectives to the table because they aren’t yet affected by industry knowledge or too much context.

Each member’s background is important, but it also depends on the synergy of the group. That’s why this step requires a careful selection of participants. It is vital to invite people relevant for the discussion, as the number of ideas per participant declines as group size increases. 

Brainstorming with Mind Maps

Once you’ve laid the proper brainstorming groundwork, you can begin to plan your session. This process usually falls to the facilitator in collaboration with other stakeholders relevant to the topic of the brainstorming session. 

Define a fixed amount of time for each step. Keep track of the time with a stopwatch, giving people a warning when time is close to expiring. This helps keep the process moving while also not letting it drag on.

The Diverge, Explore, Converge Process

There are many ways to approach this sort of creative thinking exercise, and there is no single technique for brainstorming. However, most effective brainstorming processes involve a progressive sequence of divergent (or ‘generative’), explorative, and convergent thinking.

For this next step, we are going to show you how to brainstorm in a mind map using the “diverge, explore, converge” process. Mind mapping supports all three stages of the process in one visual structure. They help you to capture, expand, and refine your thinking in one coherent and visual space. 

Step 1: Diverge

The first part of a brainstorm focuses on idea generation . The goal is quantity . At this stage, we are not concerned with quality or fully formed ideas. We want to generate a volume of thoughts related to our topic, which we will bring into the next stage.

Let’s imagine we’re brainstorming ideas for a company event. If we’re using a mind map, then we’d put this as the central topic.  

If you’re working alone, you can jump right into the process. Start to drop ideas into your mind map , aiming to create a big list of ideas. 

To help this part of the process, you may choose to introduce other techniques to trigger creative thinking . Some examples include flashcards or word association games . You can even add trigger questions in your mind map like ‘who, what, when, where, why, and how’.

If you’re brainstorming as a group , it’s a good idea to get people working alone first . They can use sticky notes or a simple piece of paper. You don’t want them to be influenced by hearing or seeing ideas from other people. Brainstorming alone gives everyone a chance to get their original ideas clear before being influenced by others. 

Step 2: Explore

After you have lots of ideas , the next step is to begin seeing if and how they fit together . At this stage, you can develop concepts further. An easy way to start this process is to categorize your ideas and see what items you can batch together.

In our event planning brainstorm, there are several ideas that could be batched together under the heading of “Entertainment”. There may be another set of items that could be batched under “Food & Drink” and so on. 

Mind mapping software is excellent for this part of the process. It helps you to quickly and easily batch items together . After, y ou can build on ideas by either adding, moving or editing the information. Once you identify the ‘Theme’ category, related concepts are triggered and added to that category. You can use the mind map to continue to build out topics and break items down into parts . This is a crucial part of the ‘explore’ phase.  

Step 3: Converge

The final step in the process ensures people come away from the brainstorm with clear priorities, goals, and next steps . Spend time determining which items should get attention, and use the mind map to identify tangible actions and next steps .

Use images or icons in your mind map to flag priority items, draw attention to ideas and prioritize to-dos. Graphics aren’t just fun. They are a practical way to enhance your mind map.

In the ‘Themes’ section of our mind map, we can start to define tasks for each topic. We could also use icons or colors to illustrate the ideas we like or don’t like.  

After the brain dump, it’s essential to turn those ideas into action. Learning how to brainstorm with mind maps supports the creative ‘Diverge’ phase, and the more practically focused ‘Explore’ and ‘Converge’ phases. This process helps people to see the developing picture and collaboratively build on each other’s ideas and thinking. Once you’ve successfully conducted your session, make sure to follow up with next steps and deliverables. This helps keep people engaged and ensures useful work comes out of the session. Brainstorming is fun and creative, but it’s also filled with long and complicated discussions. So, make sure the discussion doesn’t stop when people leave the room.

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Making Mind Map for Problem-Solving Using the Most Appropriate Mind Mapping Tool

Are you worried about resolving problems? Do you want to make it a more creative way? Don't be concerned; a mind map is one of the most effective problem-solving tools. Mind mapping can help you find solutions to any issue quickly. However, problem-solving mind maps allow you to think logically and creatively wherein you can expand your critical thinking. This article will discover how mind mapping can help you lighten your load and calm down in stressful situations.

Part 1. What is Mind Mapping in Problem-Solving?

Part 2. the five benefits of using a mind map to solve problems, part 3. how mind map are used for problem-solving.

• Part 4. FAQs About Mind Map for Problem Solving

Problem-solving is where you can define a problem and figure out the cause. Making a mind mapping for problem-solving requires serious brainstorming for generating ideas and finding a solution to a problem. Moreover, working with problem-solving requires a better understanding and critical thinking, it is essential to understand the process wherein it is part of a systematic problem.

Furthermore, problem-solving refers to a person's ability to successfully manage and solve complex and unexpected problems. You can solve a problem when the time is right to find a better solution. One of the best options is to use a mind mapping tool; it is useful for problem-solving cases, great brainstorming, and as a note-taking method. It will undoubtedly assist you in enlightening your needs and reducing your stress.

1. Using a mind map to solve problems can also help you in your daily life by enlightening your information needs.

2. It can also help you in improving your ability and attempting to reach situations more professionally.

3. Using mind mapping software can help you manage your time. You can manage your time wisely and focus on what's important.

4. Using a mind map for problem-solving helps you understand relationships, and you can also identify opportunities in problems.

Mind maps are a one-of-a-kind way to stay organized while also sharing detailed information. Mind maps are an excellent way to be creative while also connecting your findings, whether you need to demonstrate a solution to a problem or present your research. Furthermore, mind maps can assist you if you have difficulty solving problems, and MindOnMap is the best option to meet your needs.

MindOnMap is the most convenient and one of the best problem-solving mind mapping software options for problem-solving. It can give you a brighter idea of how effective your instruction is throughout the process, whether you're developing a creative idea or sharing your thoughts. MindOnMap is also a versatile and expansive structure that can help you think. It can assist you in creating a structured design. Choose an appealing template design and then incorporate your thoughts and ideas into your composition.

Secure Download

Assess MindOnMap's resources and get started right away on your ideas. Here are the basics of making a problem-solving map using the best mind mapping software.

Visit the Official Page

To begin, visit MindOnMap 's official website and browse the program. Then, using your email address, create an account by clicking the Create Your Mind Map tab.

Select your Template

You can select the desired for your problem-solving map after you've created an account. Creating a problem-solving mind map in the recommended theme, on the other hand, is much easier.

Start Creating a Map

Begin creating your map. To make your templates more precise and flexible, click to add nodes and free nodes as needed.

Be Exceedingly Creative

To make your mind maps more appealing, you must be extremely creative. Just click the suggested themes, styles, and icons, then choose the options you want to use. Surely, you will enjoy making your map.

Save and Export your Work

At last, you can now export the mind map to images, office documents, PDF, and other formats and share it with others.

Further Reading

• How to Make a Mind Map for a Project Management Using The Most Convenient Mind Mapping Software
• Brainstorming Ideas Using the Best Collaborative Mind Mapping Tool

Visual Problem Solving with Mind Maps and Flowcharts

Updated on: 25 July 2023

Everyone has problems, and we spend most of our working lives solving them. For those who find this quite negative, problems can be also termed as Issues, Challenges or Opportunities.

Some people are especially gifted at problem-solving while others struggle. Some are only good at solving some types of problems, while some other are simply great at finding viable solutions for any problem. Society generally calls the latter, smart.

What if I was to tell you that there’s a simple way to solve any problem you may encounter. In fact, it can be regarded as the smart way to solve problems.

Before we get into it, let’s see how people really fail at solving problems.

Problem-Solving   Fails

You Solve the Wrong Problem

Well, if you don’t know what the problem area is and don’t understand it very well, you’ll probably solve a problem that actually doesn’t exist while the actual problem remains as it is.

You Solve It Half Way

Again, this happens if you don’t know what the full problem is. Identifying and understanding the problem is so important before you start.

You Solve it but New Problems Show Up

This is typical when you don’t know much about the background about the problem area. If you know nothing about computers and you try to fix a broken computer, you probably won’t get very far and will likely make it worse.

You Don’t Know How

Well, obviously if you are trying to solve a problem that you have no clue about, this is going to be hard. When that’s the case, get the help of an expert in the domain the problem you are trying to solve belong to.

How to Solve Any Problem

As it’s quite clear the first step to solving any problem is understanding it thoroughly. Apart from getting a domain expert involved, the best trick I can bring you in is to draw it out. If you are a visual person this is the first thing you should do.

Different kinds of problems require different diagrams, but mind maps and flowcharts are common solutions to most problems.

Thinking Around the Problem

To get a background idea on what the problem and problem area is, mind maps can help greatly. Start with the core idea and branch out as you think about various aspects of the problem.

A mind map is a good place to start visual problem solving ( click on image to create your own mind map )

After thinking about wide aspects of the problem, it’s best to document what the immediate context of the issue is.

To do this, a concept map helps. A concept map is a diagram where you use various shapes to show areas of the problem and how they are connected.

Breaking It Down

Any big problem can be broken into a series of smaller problems. These are usually connected so a flowchart helps . Break the problem into smaller steps with a flowchart.

If you are analyzing an existing solution and trying to optimize it, a flowchart makes perfect sense as it also does the ‘defining’ part of the problem as well.

Analyze your problem further with a flowchart

Once you have broken down the problem into smaller easily solvable problems in a flow chart, you can start creating another chart for the solution as well.

Getting Help

You should always get help if it’s available when you are solving any problem. A second opinion or a second pair of eyes can help a lot in getting the optimal solution.

Tools to Aid Visual Problem Solving

While there is a myriad of tools to help you draw things, Creately is definitely one of the easiest ways to visualize your problem.

We support mind maps, flowcharts, concept maps and 50+ other diagram types which you can use for visual problem-solving.

Our professionally designed templates and productivity features  help you just focus on the drawing as it’s really easy to draw a beautiful diagram in it.

It also comes with built-in real-time collaboration so it helps when you want to get someone else to collaborate on your problem.

Other choices for drawing diagrams to solve problems include Dia, Google Draw or even Microsoft office packages.

Join over thousands of organizations that use Creately to brainstorm, plan, analyze, and execute their projects successfully.

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Nine essential problem solving tools: The ultimate guide to finding a solution

October 26, 2023 by MindManager Blog

Problem solving may unfold differently depending on the industry, or even the department you work in. However, most agree that before you can fix any issue, you need to be clear on what it is, why it’s happening, and what your ideal long-term solution will achieve.

Understanding both the nature and the cause of a problem is the only way to figure out which actions will help you resolve it.

Given that most problem-solving processes are part inspiration and part perspiration, you’ll be more successful if you can reach for a problem solving tool that facilitates collaboration, encourages creative thinking, and makes it easier to implement the fix you devise.

The problem solving tools include three unique categories: problem solving diagrams, problem solving mind maps, and problem solving software solutions.

They include:

• Fishbone diagrams
• Strategy maps
• Mental maps
• Concept maps
• Layered process audit software
• Charting software
• MindManager

In this article, we’ve put together a roundup of versatile problem solving tools and software to help you and your team map out and repair workplace issues as efficiently as possible.

Let’s get started!

Problem solving diagrams

Mapping your way out of a problem is the simplest way to see where you are, and where you need to end up.

Not only do visual problem maps let you plot the most efficient route from Point A (dysfunctional situation) to Point B (flawless process), problem mapping diagrams make it easier to see:

• The root cause of a dilemma.
• The steps, resources, and personnel associated with each possible solution.
• The least time-consuming, most cost-effective options.

A visual problem solving process help to solidify understanding. Furthermore, it’s a great way for you and your team to transform abstract ideas into a practical, reconstructive plan.

Here are three examples of common problem mapping diagrams you can try with your team:

1. Fishbone diagrams

Fishbone diagrams are a common problem solving tool so-named because, once complete, they resemble the skeleton of a fish.

With the possible root causes of an issue (the ribs) branching off from either side of a spine line attached to the head (the problem), dynamic fishbone diagrams let you:

• Lay out a related set of possible reasons for an existing problem
• Investigate each possibility by breaking it out into sub-causes
• See how contributing factors relate to one another

Fishbone diagrams are also known as cause and effect or Ishikawa diagrams.

2. Flowcharts

A flowchart is an easy-to-understand diagram with a variety of applications. But you can use it to outline and examine how the steps of a flawed process connect.

Made up of a few simple symbols linked with arrows indicating workflow direction, flowcharts clearly illustrate what happens at each stage of a process – and how each event impacts other events and decisions.

3. Strategy maps

Frequently used as a strategic planning tool, strategy maps also work well as problem mapping diagrams. Based on a hierarchal system, thoughts and ideas can be arranged on a single page to flesh out a potential resolution.

Once you’ve got a few tactics you feel are worth exploring as possible ways to overcome a challenge, a strategy map will help you establish the best route to your problem-solving goal.

Problem solving mind maps

Problem solving mind maps are especially valuable in visualization. Because they facilitate the brainstorming process that plays a key role in both root cause analysis and the identification of potential solutions, they help make problems more solvable.

Mind maps are diagrams that represent your thinking. Since many people struggle taking or working with hand-written or typed notes, mind maps were designed to let you lay out and structure your thoughts visually so you can play with ideas, concepts, and solutions the same way your brain does.

By starting with a single notion that branches out into greater detail, problem solving mind maps make it easy to:

• Explain unfamiliar problems or processes in less time
• Share and elaborate on novel ideas
• Achieve better group comprehension that can lead to more effective solutions

Mind maps are a valuable problem solving tool because they’re geared toward bringing out the flexible thinking that creative solutions require. Here are three types of problem solving mind maps you can use to facilitate the brainstorming process.

4. Mental maps

A mental map helps you get your thoughts about what might be causing a workplace issue out of your head and onto a shared digital space.

Because mental maps mirror the way our brains take in and analyze new information, using them to describe your theories visually will help you and your team work through and test those thought models.

5. Idea maps

Idea maps let you take advantage of a wide assortment of colors and images to lay down and organize your scattered thought process. Idea maps are ideal brainstorming tools because they allow you to present and explore ideas about the best way to solve a problem collaboratively, and with a shared sense of enthusiasm for outside-the-box thinking.

6. Concept maps

Concept maps are one of the best ways to shape your thoughts around a potential solution because they let you create interlinked, visual representations of intricate concepts.

By laying out your suggested problem-solving process digitally – and using lines to form and define relationship connections – your group will be able to see how each piece of the solution puzzle connects with another.

Problem solving software solutions

Problem solving software is the best way to take advantage of multiple problem solving tools in one platform. While some software programs are geared toward specific industries or processes – like manufacturing or customer relationship management, for example – others, like MindManager , are purpose-built to work across multiple trades, departments, and teams.

Here are three problem-solving software examples.

7. Layered process audit software

Layered process audits (LPAs) help companies oversee production processes and keep an eye on the cost and quality of the goods they create. Dedicated LPA software makes problem solving easier for manufacturers because it helps them see where costly leaks are occurring and allows all levels of management to get involved in repairing those leaks.

8. Charting software

Charting software comes in all shapes and sizes to fit a variety of business sectors. Pareto charts, for example, combine bar charts with line graphs so companies can compare different problems or contributing factors to determine their frequency, cost, and significance. Charting software is often used in marketing, where a variety of bar charts and X-Y axis diagrams make it possible to display and examine competitor profiles, customer segmentation, and sales trends.

9. MindManager

No matter where you work, or what your problem-solving role looks like, MindManager is a problem solving software that will make your team more productive in figuring out why a process, plan, or project isn’t working the way it should.

Once you know why an obstruction, shortfall, or difficulty exists, you can use MindManager’s wide range of brainstorming and problem mapping diagrams to:

• Find the most promising way to correct the situation
• Activate your chosen solution, and
• Conduct regular checks to make sure your repair work is sustainable

MindManager is the ultimate problem solving software.

Not only is it versatile enough to use as your go-to system for puzzling out all types of workplace problems, MindManager’s built-in forecasting tools, timeline charts, and warning indicators let you plan, implement, and monitor your solutions.

By allowing your group to work together more effectively to break down problems, uncover solutions, and rebuild processes and workflows, MindManager’s versatile collection of problem solving tools will help make everyone on your team a more efficient problem solver.

Download a free trial today to get started!

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MindManager® helps individuals, teams, and enterprises bring greater clarity and structure to plans, projects, and processes. It provides visual productivity tools and mind mapping software to help take you and your organization to where you want to be.

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How to Make Mind Maps: Visualize Your Ideas for Better Brainstorming

It’s inspiring that such massively successful blockbusters started on napkins, but that’s the first step for any good idea, right? Getting ideas out of your head and putting it into the world in some tangible way is how you turn them into reality.

Most people don’t sketch the next great animated movie characters on napkins, but we all need a way to tease out our ideas, think through concepts, and put them into a usable format. That's essential for creativity, in our personal lives and in business. Lists, outlines, and notes can help, but they don’t always lend themselves to radical innovation, learning, or problem-solving.

There’s a better way: mind maps.

What Are Mind Maps?

Mind maps are a visual way to organize your thoughts around one topic using words, colors, images and numbers to highlight ideas and draw connections. Invented by Tony Buzan in the 1960s, mind mapping is much more than drawing: It’s a framework to help you fully think through ideas, and show how topics and ideas are connected and allowing with more flexibility than an outline or list affords.

Mind mapping can be a solo or team activity, and they can be used for all types of tasks: learning, thinking through ideas, strategic planning, mapping out processes or organizing overwhelming amounts of information. I’ve even come across mind maps made to plan weddings or organize Thanksgiving dinner.

Roy Grubb, Managing Director at G&A Management Consultants Ltd and creator of the Visual Thinking Center , told me mind maps are of two types: "Maps where the benefit is mainly in the process of making the map, the thinking process, the memory jogging, the stimulation of new ideas and associations; and maps where the benefit is the map as a reference and communication point."

Why Use Mind Maps Instead of Lists or Outlines?

You don't have to make a mind map—you could just jot a note down on that napkin, or use an outlining app to list the things you're thinking about. So why mind maps?

"Lists always get long, and they assign importance in terms of where the item is on the list," explained MeisterLabs co-founder Michael Hollauf. "If something is further down, it’s inherently less important. If you have topics that are on a similar level, it’s hard to show that in a list. Mind maps can reorganize really easily if you decide something belongs to something else."

In other words, instead of capturing information linearly by default, mind maps can show--and help you discover--connections between different topics, the way your mind works.

List or outlines can be great for small tasks, but Grubb told me fresh ideas are more likely to pop up when creating a mind map because of the free format. "When I’m planning a project, a mind map helps me capture my ideas without having to lay out steps in a linear fashion. I find that a linear list, or even an outline, hems me in and stops me thinking freely."

How to make a mind map

Mind maps are pretty simple to create, and you can build them on a whiteboard, sketch them on a piece of paper, or use a mind mapping app to create them. These basic steps apply in any medium:

1. Start in the Middle With a Central Idea

This can be a word or an image/picture that represents the central topic you’re going to map.

2. Create Branches to Represent Sub-topics

These should be limited to words or short phrases. Keep a good amount of space between your ideas to leave room to add on later.

3. Add Details to Your Mind Map

You can vary colors, word cases, font styles, and even the thickness of your branch lines to separate or group different topics or ideas. Or, you can add photos, notes, and more to add more detail to your map.

4. Make Connections

You can draw lines or arrows between ideas in the map that you want to connect.

Keep expanding for as long as you need to. You might feel done with your map after one sitting, but it could also be something you keep and adjust or add to over time.

Other Mind Mapping Tips

If you’re a beginner

For mind mapping beginners, it can be helpful to have a pro guide your first few maps.

"Look for someone who often uses mind maps and ask their opinion," Grubb told me. "This can help to remove blocks to mastering the technique in the early days."

If you’re not artistically inclined

Don’t worry if you’re not an artist; that’s not the point of a mind map.

"One of the things we hear often is ‘I can’t draw,’" says Raphaela Brandner, marketing manager at MeisterLabs , creators of mind-mapping tool MindMeister. "It’s not about making it beautiful, it’s about making it memorable."

You don’t need to make a masterpiece: "They’re thinking tools, not works of art," Grubb says.

If you’re mapping with your team

When mapping with others, it helps to set some ground rules first. "What we do here is we come to some fort of agreement for how the map is going to be used," Brandner says. "We say we’ll ‘add comments here’ or ‘use these icons for this.’"

With technical teams, Grubb opts for mind mapping software on a laptop with the map projected onto a screen. For teams who are new to mind maps, he maps on large sheets of paper or a whiteboard.

"It helps to be in front of the map, talking as I add to it while the ideas bounce back and forth," he says. "I can explain what I’m doing as we go along, and at the end, capture images of the maps on a phone before erasing them."

As the meeting progresses, Grubb gets people more involved: "I look for opportunities to hand over the marker so that everyone has ownership of the mind map."

If you’re working remotely

Mind mapping tools make it easy for distributed teams make maps together.

"When working with others who may be in distant offices, online mind mapping services, like MindMeister or Mindmup , are indispensable," Grubb says. "Several people can work on a map simultaneously and they can chat online or in the app. Both MindMeister and Mindmup have project planning capabilities, allowing dates and resources to be added to individual items."

Other mind mapping tools include Mindjet , Coggle , XMind , FreeMind and MindNode .

When to Use Mind Maps

Mind maps are often used in schools, so people tend to associate them mainly with learning and studying. But there are a ton of business applications for mind maps, too.

"Many students are shown how to make mind maps to help with learning but never take the skill on into their business careers," Grubb says. "Those that do find they have a tool that is good for much more than just understanding school work."

Grubb told me he sees businesses using mind maps for ideation, product design, website design, project planning, management, report writing, and planning software testing.

Here are just a few business-focused tasks mind maps can help with:

When Absorbing What You Read

Reading is an important way to grow as a professional, but with busy schedules, it can be hard to digest a book or resource enough to apply it to your work.

Mind maps can help you truly absorb what you read. For example, Grubb used a MindMap to summarize the book Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath. First, he read the book and highlighted words and phrases that caught his attention. When he was done reading, he went back and made a mind map from the highlighted sections and was able to use that mind map to successfully guide his next project.

Learn how to read more, faster, with our guide to reading 50 books each year .

When Preparing for a Speech or Presentation

Students turn to mind maps—especially hand-written maps—when studying because they help with memorization.

"That tactile experience works a lot better for memorizing," Brandner says. "That’s what I did in school. Once you have mind map and you’re about to go into the exam, you redraw the mind map by hand to get it into your brain."

You could use a similar process to prepare for a speech or presentation. You’ll feel more confident about the content and might not have to rely on notes as much during the presentation.

Need a presentation app? Check out our roundup of the 20 best PowerPoint alternatives

When Managing a Project

Some project managers use mind maps to take notes in meetings. Instead of pages of linear notes, you can put the meeting topic in the middle and create branches for each major sub-topic discussed.

"When I do this, it’s amazing to me how I see things differently," writes business analyst and marketer Tim Walker . "I pay more attention during the meeting, and I leave with a much better idea of what I could do next to move the work forward."

Making mind maps can also help prioritize project tasks.

"When you map things radially, you take away the rank order and chronology that’s inherent in an outline or Gantt chart," Walker writes . "Instead of prematurely worrying about which part of your project comes first in sequence, or which part deserves the most resources, you can focus on getting the right issues surfaced in a way that promotes dialogue, understanding, and problem-solving"

Learn how to effectively manage projects—and find the tools you need to help you out—with Zapier's Ultimate Guide to Project Management .

When Trying to Generate New Ideas

Use mind maps to combat writer's’ block, think up new product ideas, or generate possible solutions to a problem you’re facing.

"Generating a starting point for innovation can be one of the most productive uses of mapping," Grubb writes . "Ideas can tumble out of control. Writing them in a list easily kills the inspiration, but organizing them in a mind map not only gives the freedom to wander ‘all over the map,’ but encourages grouping, thus often bringing ideas together that give birth to new thoughts."

For more ways to spark new ideas, check out GV's design sprints which help Google's teams turn moonshots into reality.

Automate Your Mind Maps

Your mind maps can be put to even more use if you connect your content in them with your favorite apps. With Zapier, an app automation tool, you can send tasks or topics from MindManager Enterprise to many other apps, such as Google Docs, Trello, Asana, and Evernote.

For example:

Send MindManager content to Google Docs

Send MindManager tasks to Trello

Send MindManager topics to Box

Send MindManager tasks to Asana

Send MindManager content to Evernote

See other MindManager Enterprise app integrations or create your own.

Who knows, maybe you are planning to pitch an idea to Pixar for Hollywood’s next loveable robot, clown fish, or furry monster. If so, ditch the napkins, and try a mind map.

And the next time you want to make sense of information, successfully plan a big project, run a meeting, learn something new, streamline the way you work or even plan Thanksgiving, mind maps can work for you, too.

Mind Map Examples and Further reading

How to Use Mind Maps to Unleash Your Brain's Creativity and Potential

Mind Mapping for the Project Manager

Meeting Management With Mind Maps

The best brainstorming tools

Still want to use notes or outlines to organize your thoughts? Check out our roundups of the best notes software and outlining apps to find the tools you need.

Mind Map photo by INPIVIC Family via Flickr . Mind map example by Roy Grubb . Mind map screenshots via MindMeister .

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Genevieve Colman

Genevieve Colman is a User Experience Manager who enjoys uncomplicating complex language and finding the perfect GIF for every situation.

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How to manage a problem with mind maps

When you are faced with a difficult problem, it can be hard to know where to start. There are so many things to think about, and not much time to act.

Collecting, organizing, and connecting information about a problem in a Mindomo map gives you space to think and communicate.

This article explains how the Mindomo template “Manage a problem” works. The template guides you from first encountering a difficult problem through to resolving it. It explains the difference between complicated and complex problems and shows how to use Mindomo to work with both. Use this template :

It assumes that you have some basic familiarity with Mindomo and can create mind maps , create Topics, insert Floating Topics, and connect them with Relationships.

Introduction

Visualizing the information around a problem helps you to understand it, communicate it and develop a plan to address it.

Problem-solving has been a popular topic in hundreds of books, methodologies, and academic papers for many decades. Everyone has their own special approach, but there is no universal answer that works in every situation.

Problems can be complicated or complex, requiring different approaches. Managing a problem often requires a compromise between the “problem” and its “solution”. Something that is a problem from one perspective might be desirable from a different viewpoint. Sometimes the “best” solution costs more than the problem. Sometimes a solution cannot be found, and you have to adapt to avoid it.

Bringing all of this together in a Mindomo map helps to ensure that you don’t miss out on some important factor or end up solving the wrong problem.

The elements of the template for managing a problem

The “Manage a Problem” mind map template gives you a set of Main Topics where you can start collecting information and ideas. When you select the Main Topic, template guidance also pops up with some hints.

We will look at each element in turn in the following sections.

Symptoms are usually the first thing to be noticed. Sometimes they are dramatic and unmissable, and sometimes they are subtle and easy to ignore. They may be sudden, may have grown slowly, or may have been well known for a long time.

If you are trying to understand the root cause of a problem, then when you finally do understand it, all the symptoms will either be:

• Explained by the root cause
• Shown to be a coincidence
• Shown to be a misinterpretation

It is important to collect details of all the symptoms, whether they seem relevant or not. Try to avoid rushing to conclusions, even if you are short of time. Once you decide that you know where the problem comes from, you tend to interpret evidence in support of that, which can be misleading.

If there is a symptom that disproves your theory, don’t ignore it. Either it is a misinterpretation, or your theory is not yet correct.

Record all the symptoms as accurately as you can, even the ones that don’t seem to fit. In the long term, this will help you to devise ways of monitoring this situation arising again.

Acute effects

The acute effects of a problem are what cause pain right now and need fixing quickly. They may be indirectly causing other issues or maybe worsening as time goes on. Trying to address the acute effects is the first step. It is important to make a definitive list of them so that you can check them against solutions to make sure you have not missed anything.

The list of acute effects is usually bigger than the symptoms. Maybe only a couple of symptoms have been noticed, but there may be consequences that have not yet been observed.

Containment

Containment aims to manage the acute effects of a problem without trying to find the root cause. It might involve making rapid changes or finding a temporary workaround, and often has its own additional cost.

If things are happening fast, you won’t be here reading about what to do next. However, if the situation is less dynamic, you may have time to think about ways to prevent it from getting worse.

What you are looking for is a short-term or simple intervention that keeps things stable. This means understanding, if possible, what might be causing the issue to grow, even if you don’t yet understand what causes it. Steps to prevent things from escalating to a crisis or complete blockage give you time to think.

As a simple example, if a machine starts producing lengths of timber that are too long, then a temporary workaround would be to have someone cut each piece to size as it emerges. This might be better than shutting down the production line and taking the covers off the machine. This will take longer, and you might discover that the minor symptom reflects a serious underlying problem that will take a week to fix. You need to buy time to gather other evidence and plan a bigger response.

Chronic effects

The chronic effects of a problem are the results of leaving it unsolved over a long period. Identifying and listing the chronic effects will help you to correctly prioritize the resolution of the problem.

Problems can have unexpected consequences, some of which may take a long time to emerge. A relatively minor issue that is left unaddressed may build up over time until it becomes acute and can no longer be ignored. These chronic effects might seem to be too far away to worry about, but over time might be costing you more than it seems.

Don’t forget that one of the potential chronic effects of any problem is its capacity to happen again . Even if you cope with it this time, not addressing the underlying cause may mean that it happens again in a matter of days, weeks, or months. The potential cost of the problem may be many times the cost of an acute incident.

The priority of a problem is a combination of its urgency and importance. Priority determines the speed with which you respond, and the resources available to you.

We can use an adaptation of the Eisenhower Matrix to help prioritize problems and justify action.

In our modified version of the Eisenhower matrix, issues with acute effects can be considered urgent, while issues with chronic effects may still be important.

One of the lessons from the Eisenhower matrix and from prioritization techniques in general is: don’t neglect things that are important in the long term. An example of a priority scheme might be:

• Highest priority 1: problems that are both acute and chronic
• Priority 2: chronic problems with a high cost
• Priority 3: acute problems with noticeable costs
• Lowest priority: everything else

Many organizations are fully occupied by focusing on urgent (acute) issues, and never find the time to work on important (chronic) ones. If a problem has minor acute effects and is left unaddressed, the chronic effects may build up over time.

Root causes

Finding the root cause of an issue is the focus of most of the well-known problem-solving techniques.

To start with, it will help to gather as much information as possible. The next step is to develop models and theories of why it might be happening. For some issues, the cause will be obvious – perhaps too obvious to debate. Other issues may be more involved, with a variety of opinions, theories, and points of view about the “best” solution and the constraints on a solution. As you develop ideas about why the problem is occurring, you may be able to identify whether it is “complicated” or “complex”, which will help with your approach.

Complicated issues

If a problem is complicated , the root cause can often be found by logic and breaking things down until you can isolate the source. It is a question of scale, as there might be a lot of detail to examine. Several tools can help with this, including:

Mindomo is ideal for visualizing this kind of analysis because it can quickly draw trees of information. Use the Fishbone diagram template from the Templates Gallery.

Complex issues

Complex issues have multiple causes that interact with each other so there is no single chain of cause and effect that can be found by logical deduction. The resulting situation is a balance between interacting forces. In problematic situations, the balance point is too far away from an acceptable status, resulting in undesirable trends and outcomes. It may even be unstable, causing the situation to get worse.

The natural environment is a good example of a complex situation; there is no single cause of problems that can be separated out and resolved on its own. Changes can only be made by counteracting the forces that push the balance point in the wrong direction.

The “Manage a problem” template includes an example of a diagram that can model situations like this. In addition to topics to help you develop the description of the problem and solutions, it contains an influence diagram showing how the elements fit together and affect each other.

If we look at the influence diagram for managing a problem, we can see that to reduce acute effects, we can focus on containment. To reduce both acute and chronic effects, we need to address the root causes. To find solutions to the root causes, it helps if the constraints on solutions are reduced.

Be aware that if you are facing a chronic problem that has not been addressed, the above diagram will be in balance, but in the wrong place. Somewhere, the reason for not solving the problem will be keeping it in that position. The perceived priority may be too low because the acute effects are tolerated, people have adjusted to workarounds, or the constraints on solutions are too strong.

You can use Mindomo to draw an influence diagram with Floating Topics and connect the elements with Relationships to show how they affect each other. You can then try to minimize the influences that lead to negative positions and maximize the ones that lead to positive positions. Even if the overall behavior is too difficult to predict, you can try small adjustments and examine the symptoms to see if the balance is changing in the right direction. This is why clear identification of relevant symptoms is important.

Constraints

You are unlikely to have an unlimited budget, endless time, and complete freedom to come up with the perfect solution to a problem. All practical solutions must observe some constraints .

If sales are down this quarter, it would probably be unacceptable to fire the whole sales and marketing team and start again, so this solution would be outside the constraints and not considered.

How many times have you heard the phrase “You can’t do that because…”?

Sometimes good solutions get rejected too early due to minor objections, and the objection itself gets forgotten about later. You should identify applicable constraints and their importance, as this will save time when developing and evaluating potential solutions. Constraints can include:

• How much time you have before a temporary workaround is no longer acceptable
• A lack of consensus on priority
• The cost of the problem – Usually, solutions don’t cost more than the problem in the long term. To assess this, you will need to consider all the chronic effects
• The opportunity cost of working on this problem instead of something else
• What can realistically be controlled and changed
• Availability of knowledge, skills, and other resources
• The impact the solution will have in other areas and on other people
• Constraints on implementation, e.g., minimizing disruption

Ideally, you will have a choice of solutions to evaluate.

A solution is a compromise between constraints and addressing the root cause. For complicated problems, where you can pinpoint the cause, the constraints may simply be time and cost. For complex problems, you may be looking for a balance between constraints and effectiveness. It might be sensible to make a small change with a controlled cost to find out whether bigger changes would work.

Doing nothing is always an option, and you should evaluate that alongside other solutions. Doing nothing may be totally unacceptable, but it will help if everyone agrees on the reasons that it is unacceptable.

For each solution option you need to know:

• How it addresses the root causes of the issue
• How it meets the constraints
• How you will measure the results
• What resources are needed, including cost
• How it can be implemented

Decision log

It will be helpful to keep a log of events and decisions on your map so that you can communicate them to others, and avoid accidentally reversing earlier decisions. You can be sure that whatever you decide, someone else will have a different point of view. If you have kept a log of who was involved and what decisions were made, you will be able to both justify the actions taken and learn from them for the next time.

Conclusions

Dealing with difficult problems needs imagination, clear communication, and reliable data.

A Mindomo map is a great tool to gather, organize, communicate, and debate ideas and data. This will free you up to focus on the root causes and effective solutions. Just starting to collect and organize data will help you to feel more positive about finding a good solution. Good luck!

Sign up for your free Mindomo trial here.

Keep it smart, simple, and creative!

Author : Nick Duffill

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Article • 7 min read

A Powerful Approach to Note-Taking

By the Mind Tools Content Team

Have you ever studied a subject or brainstormed an idea, only to find yourself with pages of information, but no clear view of how it fits together?

This is where Mind Mapping (also known as Mind Mapping, Concept Mapping, Spray Diagrams, and Spider Diagrams) can help.

Mind Mapping is a useful technique that supports learning, improves information recording, shows how different facts and ideas are related, and enhances creative problem solving. Read on to find out more.

What Are Mind Maps?

Mind Maps were popularized by author and consultant, Tony Buzan. They use a two-dimensional structure, instead of the list format conventionally used to take notes. This makes information easier to remember, as it's held in a format that our minds find easy to recall and quick to review.

A good Mind Map shows the "shape" of the subject, the relative importance of individual points, and the ways in which facts relate to one another. Research shows that this is of particular benefit when dealing with complex information, such as during business planning and strategy development .

Mind Maps are more compact than conventional notes, and often take up just one side of paper. This helps you to make associations and to generate new ideas . You can also add new information easily, even to a Mind Map that you've already drawn.

Mind Mapping can also help you to break down large projects or topics into manageable chunks, so that you can plan effectively without getting overwhelmed and without forgetting something important.

What Can I Use Mind Maps For?

Mind Maps are useful for:

Brainstorming – individually, and as a group.

• Summarizing information.
• Taking notes.
• Consolidating information from different sources.
• Thinking through complex problems.
• Presenting information clearly.
• Studying and memorizing information.

Mind Maps are also good for refreshing information in your mind. When you commit the shape and structure of a Mind Map to memory, you can often get the cues you need to remember the information it contains just by glancing quickly at the Map. Studies have shown that this makes them highly valuable when you're learning a language, for example.

You can really get inventive with Mind Maps, so they are great for boosting creativity, too. When you include colors, images or drawings, they can even resemble a work of art!

How to Draw a Basic Mind Map

To draw a Mind Map, follow these five steps:

Step 1 . Write the title of the subject or project that you're exploring in the center of a page and draw a circle around it, as shown in figure 1, below.

(Our simple example shows a Mind Map of the actions needed to deliver a successful presentation.)

Step 2 . Draw lines out from this circle as you think of subheadings of the topic or important facts or tasks that relate to your subject. Label these lines with your subheadings. (See figure 2, below.)

Step 3 . Dive deeper into the subject to uncover the next level of information (related sub-topics, tasks or facts, for example). Then, link these to the relevant subheadings. (See figure 3, below.)

Step 4 . Repeat the process for the next level of facts, tasks and ideas. Draw lines out from the appropriate headings and label them, as shown in figure 4, below.

Step 5 . As you discover new information or think of additional tasks, add them to your Mind Map in the appropriate places.

A complete Mind Map may have main topic lines radiating in all directions from the center, with sub-topics forking off these like branches and twigs from the trunk of a tree. You don't need to worry about the structure you produce – this will evolve of its own accord.

While drawing Mind Maps by hand is appropriate in many cases, software tools and apps like Mindmeister , and MindGenius , can improve the process by helping you to produce high-quality Mind Maps, which you can then easily edit or redraft.

How to Use Mind Maps Effectively

Once you understand how to take notes in the Mind Map format, you can develop your own conventions for taking them further. The following suggestions can help you to get the most from your Mind Maps:

• Use Single Words or Uncomplicated Phrases – Keep things simple. In Mind Maps, single strong words and short, meaningful phrases can convey the same meaning more potently. Excess words just clutter a Mind Map.
• Print Words – They will be easier to read than joined-up or indistinct writing.
• Use Color to Separate Different Ideas – Color can help to show the organization of the subject. It can also make your Mind Map a more appealing document, and help you to visualize the different sections of your Mind Map for future recall.
• Use Symbols and Images – Pictures can help you to remember information more effectively than words, so use symbols or pictures that mean something to you, use it. (You can use photo libraries like iStock to source images inexpensively.)
• Using Cross-Linkages – Information in one part of a Mind Map may relate to another part, so draw lines to show these cross-linkages. This will help you to see how one part of the subject affects another.

Visual Example

Click on the down arrow on the right-hand side below to download a PDF of this great example of a Mind Map with high visual impact:

Mind Mapping is a powerful note-taking method. Mind Maps not only highlight important facts, but also show the overall structure of a subject and the relative importance of individual parts of it.

They are great when you need to think creatively, and can help you to make new connections between ideas. This is useful when you have problems to solve.

To use Mind Maps effectively, it's best to print your words, to use different colors (to add visual impact), and to incorporate symbols and images to spur creative thinking.

If you do any form of research or note taking, try experimenting with Mind Maps. You'll love using them!

Buran, A. (2015). 'Mind Mapping Technique in Language Learning,' Social and Behavioral Sciences , 206, 215-218. Available here .

Buzan, T., and Buzan, B. (1996). The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brains Untapped Potential . New York: Plume.

Somers, M., Passerini, K., Parhankangas, A., and Casal, J. (2014). 'Using Mind Maps to Study How Business School Students and Faculty Organize and Apply General Business Knowledge,' The International Journal of Management Education , 12(1), 1-13. Available here .

TRADEMARK INFORMATION

"Mind Map" is a trademark of the Buzan Organization (see www.tonybuzan.com ) and used here with permission. We have no association with this organization.

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Comments (4)

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This is so, SO good! I was reading an article about the benefits of mind mapping (https://youcanjournal.com/mind-mapping/ if you're interested) but was looking for more of a step-by-step guide. Thanks so much for the help in kick-starting my own mind maps! ❤️

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The Complete Guide on How to Mind Map for Beginners

The more you know and learn, the easier it is to learn and know more. – Tony Buzan

What is Mind Mapping?

Mind mapping is a visual information management tool that helps us structure, organize, memorize, arrange, brainstorm and learn information in a highly specialized way.

The past 20 years have brought us incredible insights into the human mind and our limitless capacity to think, comprehend and store vast reserves of information.

If anything, these studies have highlighted that our capacity to think effectively and quickly is very closely tied to our imagination and our ability to create associations between various information chunks.

Mind mapping has come a long way since the early days when Tony Buzan  first introduced it to the world. It is now on the brink of becoming a mainstream tool used by academics, students, business professionals and many other individuals to manage, organize and reimagine information in a new and highly structured way.

These days though, mind mapping isn’t just about creating a map. It’s instead evolving into a visual information management tool that’s transforming the way we think, work, and develop our  visual thinking capacity .

The Visual Mapping Evolution

Visual mapping has slowly crept into mainstream awareness over a period of about 10 years. There are now a plethora of visual mapping software applications available on all platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Our methods for organizing information are changing dramatically, and visual mapping is quietly becoming a revolutionary tool that’s keeping us organized, productive, and focused. The question is…

Are you on board yet?

What follows is a beginner’s overview of the principles behind mind mapping.

Along the way, we will also explore several mind mapping examples using a variety of mind mapping software programs. This exploration will provide you with a visual comparison of the features of each tool to help you figure out whether or not it might be suitable for your purposes.

We will begin our exploration by defining the process of mind mapping. After which we will delve into the benefits of mind mapping and describe a variety of uses for mind maps.

We will conclude our discussion by taking a look at the industry accepted standards of how to draw mind maps and the rules that govern their design.

A Broader Definition of Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is a method for storing, organizing, prioritizing, learning, reviewing and memorizing information.

It presents an overview and summary of a body of knowledge that fuses words and pictures together.

Mind mapping seamlessly blends logic and creative thought to help us think more proficiently and effectively about the subject we are learning.

What are the Benefits of Mind Mapping?

The benefits of mind mapping are extensive and far-reaching.

In a general way, mind mapping expands our ability to think laterally and logically in any given situation.

Listed below are several benefits of using mind maps for thinking, organizing information, and brainstorming ideas .

Mind mapping…

• Helps you grasp a big picture overview of the subject under study.
• Improves your capacity to explore detailed snippets of information.
• Helps improve your memory, retention, and comprehension of information.
• Helps you organize information into easy to remember chunks.
• Helps reduce mental clutter, cope with information overload, and overwhelm .
• Stimulates the imagination and encourages creative insights and ideas.
• Helps enhance your level of focus and concentration while working or studying.
• Helps expand your ability to take effective, better organized, and more comprehensive notes.
• Makes learning and organizing information fun and exciting, which subsequently strengthens your interest in the subject matter.
• Helps accelerate your ability to solve complex problems .
• Improved your capacity to manage your academic workload.
• Helps unlock hidden understandings within information chunks.
• Helps unlock unexpected creative insights and ideas.
• Helps you save time while working, studying or learning.
• Helps you to prepare for tests and examinations.
• Helps provide you with more clarity about your goals , ideas, and actions.
• Helps triggers creative associations between seemingly unrelated bits of information.

This list of benefits is, of course, by no means comprehensive. There are many more value-added benefits that are specific to individuals who consistently work with mind maps.

To gain actual value from using mind maps, you will need to commit yourself to incorporating them into your work and study routine for at least 30 days.  You will need at the very least four weeks to fully comprehend the value that mind maps can bring to your life.

Remember though, that you don’t necessarily need to be a doodler to gain value from using mind maps. Mind mapping isn’t about pretty little pictures and doodles. It’s rather about the structure and process you use to organize and make sense of information.

What Can Mind Maps be Used for?

Since the dawn of the Internet Age, mind mapping has been growing steadily as a traditional method for collating, organizing, and expanding upon existing knowledge and information.

Over this period, many people have shared extraordinary insights about how they have used mind maps to help them organize, manage and improve their lives.

What follows, are various uses for mind maps that people from all walks of life have found of value.

Mind Mapping for Work Productivity

Here are examples of ways professionals use mind mapping at work:

• Planning sales strategy
• Planning marketing strategy
• Organizing and managing projects
• Organizing and managing meetings
• Preparing for networking events
• Preparing for interviews
• Business planning
• Research and development

Mind Mapping for Academic Success

Here are examples of ways students use mind mapping at school:

• Learning languages
• Learning grammar
• Preparing for examinations
• Preparing a structure for writing essays
• Preparing presentations
• Brainstorming ideas
• Solving problems
• Thinking creatively and critically about topics
• Memorizing subject notes, books, and materials
• For general study and revision of information

Mind Mapping for Life Management

Here are examples of ways people use mind mapping to manage their life:

• Managing time
• Managing events
• Goal setting
• Keeping a diary
• Holiday planning
• Financial planning
• Tracking important dates, events, and information

The things that can be achieved and the amount of information we can manage at one time using mind maps is absolutely extraordinary. And this list only scrapes the surface of what’s possible.

How do I Draw a Mind Map?

Drawing a mind map involves a rather simple process. All that’s required is an understanding of its underlying structure.

Mind mapping is, in fact, a process that requires very little step-by-step explanation. For that reason, I will break it down for you here in only a few brief steps.

Here are several quick guidelines to help you get started drawing your very first mind map:

• Take out a large sheet of paper and place it horizontally in front of you.
• Draw a reasonably sized (colored) memorable central image that represents the topic you are going to be mapping. Alternatively, draw a circle and write some words inside the circle to represent that image.
• Draw at least four  thick organic looking branches radiating outwards from the central image. Using a different color for each branch is helpful.
• Write key-words (headings) along these branches that represent the central image and the topic you are mapping.
• Draw additional branches that extend from your main branches. The words on these branches are sub-topics of the words you wrote on your main branches.
• Keep expanding the mind map outwards with additional sub sub-topics/keywords and branches.
• Refer to the mind mapping rules presented in the next section to help improve your memory and recall of the information you are mapping.

For more information about how to draw mind map step-by-step, please see Drawing a Mind Map from Start to Finish .

What are the Rules for Mind Mapping?

The content in this section is built upon the mind mapping software examples presented in the next section.

You will gain significant value by downloading these images and referring to them as you work through the mind mapping rules listed below.

These mind mapping software screenshots will likewise provide you with a visual representation of the critical points of emphasis discussed below.

To improve your memory and recall of the mind map you are creating, it’s essential to use some creative tools that will help stimulate deeper conscious awareness and free association.

Please keep in mind that it’s not necessary to follow all the guidelines listed below. However, it can be incredibly helpful if you check all of them off your list. That’s because following each guideline will help improve your memory and recall of the information you are mind mapping.

Okay, here are several mind mapping rules you should keep in mind when creating your mind maps.

• Use symbols to classify different types of thoughts and ideas.
• Use keywords on lines. Short phrases can also work well.
• Use multi-headed arrows of varying color, size, style and dimensions.
• Use codes to help draw your attention to specific sections of the map.
• Use proper spacing between topics to separate your ideas.
• Use stimulating images and colors throughout the map.
• Use images to represent words in a metaphorical, sound-like, or in a direct manner.
• Create boundaries and borders to draw attention to specific branches.
• Create linear hierarchies of ordered numbers, lists and letters.
• Create a hierarchy of lines where they start off think then thin out as they expand outward.
• Draw thick branches that radiate outwards away from the central image.
• Create word-hierarchies by varying word sizes to emphasize their level of importance.
• Use UPPER and lower case to emphasize the importance of each word.
• Create a memorable central image and complementary visuals that come off the main branches.
• Draw different shapes to represent ideas and segments of the map.
• Vary font styles to separate ideas and topics.
• Vary branch colors to distinguish different topics.
• Vary branch endings to emphasize words and phrases.
• Vary branch thickness to highlight specific ideas.
• Vary image colors, emphasis, and size to improve memory and recall.

For information on how to study using mind maps, please have read of  mind mapping study skills .

Drawing mind maps in this way help stimulate our imaginations, form stronger visual associations while improving memory and recall of the information we are learning.

Below is a mind map that was drawn by Paul Foreman . It presents the above-mentioned mind mapping rules in a visually beautiful and practical way.

Drawing mind maps in this way allow for greater flexibility and freedom. It provides your brain with avenues for creative self-expression.

To see more of Paul Foreman’s  collection of creative and inspirational mind maps, please visit his Mind Map Inspiration  website.

Paul also has a beautiful  Drawing Tips for Mind Mapping ebook where he teaches how to create mind maps from scratch.

For further insight into Paul’s drawing and mind mapping techniques, have a read of How I Drew My Mind Maps ebook. There Paul discusses how he draws his mind maps using a simple and easy to follow process of steps.

Creating a Mind Map Using Mind Mapping Software

These days there are a wide array of mind mapping software applications available on the market. Whether you’re on a PC, a MAC, using Android, iOS, or Linux, there is a mind mapping application available for every platform.

Below I have represented the mind mapping rules (discussed above) using 3 leading mind mapping software applications.

As you will see below, each mind mapping application represents these rules in a slightly different way. I have also provided a short explanation of each software applications unique features below each image.

These images will provide you with a good point-of-reference of what each software application is capable of. However, do keep in mind that each software has many other additional features that I do not explore in this article.

iMindMap is a cartoon-like mind mapping software applications that most closely resembles the hand-drawn mind maps created by Paul Foreman . The design of this software is also very heavily influenced by Tony Buzan’s  rules for mind mapping.

The software is relatively simple to use, allowing each user the ability to draw and extend branches with their mouse or a digital pen.

Content is added to each branch via the keyboard once that branch (line) has been selected. Colors, fonts, images, symbols, and discrete notes can also be added to each branch as required.

The software is quite pleasing to the eyes from a graphical perspective and is probably most suited to young children and those who are starting out with mind mapping.

In recent years, iMindMap has been adding a ton of new features and capabilities to each version of their software. It began as a straightforward mind mapping tool. However, today it has a plethora of features for students, business professionals, or those looking for a robust information management tool. Definitely one of the better options on the market today.

MindManager

MindManager is a feature-rich mind mapping application that structures content and information in a very systematic and organized way.

MindManager’s primary market seems to be business professionals. Their approach to mind mapping is very elegant and straightforward.

It doesn’t look as flashy from a graphical perspective when compared to iMindMap. However, it has a vast array of features for managing information, projects, goals and more.

MindManager provides the user the ability to organize, arrange and categorize information in a variety of ways. It also integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Office and Outlook.

MindManager allows you to attach discrete notes to every branch, to insert symbols, images, web-pages, file shortcuts, folder links, and more. It also has a Gannt Chart and Flowchart feature.

MindManager also comes with an integrated web browser and permits users to save their mind map creations in an interactive pdf format that can be shared with others who don’t have access to the software application.

I have personally used MindManager extensively since 2008 to plan my blog posts, set goals, organize my time, manage the information I am learning, brainstorm ideas, and much more. My life would no doubt be very cluttered without it. 🙂

NovaMind seamlessly blends the features found within iMindMap and MindManager and improves on them in several respects.

Within NovaMind you can position the branches exactly where you want them on the map. Moreover, you can create different branch styles as you can see in the example above.

NovaMind also gives users the option to use a variety of layouts and to attach graphics and text to their mind maps. They have a fantastic graphics libraries, all of which help the user produce beautiful mind maps.

NovaMind is excellent for teaching and learning, as it provides a number of unique and helpful features like the Suggesterator which suggests new ideas related to what you already have on your mind map.

There is also the BranchStorm capability which helps you blast ideas out very quickly. The user can also print out mind maps without text on the branches to assist with note-taking, memorization, and revision.

NovaMind also has specialist features for screenwriting, presentations, and project management, as well as a long list of import and export options.

NovaMind hasn’t received as many updates or upgrades as iMindMap and MindManager over the years. However, it’s still a fantastic option for those on a budget who are looking for a reliable mind mapping software solution.

Finally, I would also recommend taking a look at Xmind . They offer a free and paid version of their mind mapping software application.

Concluding Thoughts

I hope that this introduction to mind maps has helped answer some of the questions you might have had about mind mapping and the various software applications that are available on the market today.

Mind mapping is growing in popularity every year and gaining an ever greater foothold within niche specific industries where information management is of critical importance.

As a result, it will continue to grow, evolve, and adapt to our ever-changing information management needs.

Time to Assimilate these Concepts

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Did you gain value from this article? Is it important that you know and understand this topic?   Would you like to optimize how you think about this topic? Would you like a method for applying these ideas to your life?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then I’m confident you will gain tremendous value from using the accompanying IQ Matrix for coaching or self-coaching purposes. This mind map provides you with a quick visual overview of the article you just read. The branches, interlinking ideas, and images model how the brain thinks and processes information. It’s kind of like implanting a thought into your brain – an upgrade of sorts that optimizes how you think about these concepts and ideas. 🙂

Recommended IQ Matrix Bundles

If you’re intrigued by the idea of using mind maps for self-improvement then I would like to invite you to become an IQ Matrix Member.

If you’re new to mind mapping or just want to check things out, then register for the Free 12 Month Membership Program . There you will gain access to over 90 mind maps, visual tools, and resources valued at over $500. 

If, on the other hand, you want access to an ever-growing library of 100s of visual tools and resources, then check out our Premium Membership Packages . These packages provide you with the ultimate visual reference library for all your personal development needs.

Free Articles and Resources

Here are a number of highly recommended free articles and online resources that will further help expand your understanding of mind mapping:

• 10 Tony Buzan Mind Mapping Laws You Should Follow  @ Magnetic Memory Method
• Drawing a Mind Map from Start to Finish @ Mind Map Inspiration
• How to Make a Mind Map @ WikIT
• Learn How to Draw Mind Maps @ Mind Tools
• How to Create a Mind Map  @ HubPages
• The Mind Mapping Directory

Mind Mapping Software Applications

Here are several mind mapping software applications you might like to check out.

These applications are either free, or they come with a free trial period. Some of these applications are cloud-based, and ideal for collaboration.

Many of them are also cross-platform applications that can be used on a Mac or PC. Xmind, Mindomo, and FreeMind have Linux versions. You will also find iOS and Android versions of some of these apps. Visit each website link for more information.

• Xmind  (free)
• FreePlane  (free)
• FreeMind  (free)
• Mind Manager
• MindMeister
• Coggle  (cloud)
• Bubbl  (cloud)

Recommended Books

• Drawing Tips for Mind Mapping by Paul Foreman
• How I Drew My Mind Maps by Paul Foreman
• The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain’s Untapped Potential by Tony Buzan & Barry Buzan
• Mapping Inner Space: Learning & Teaching Visual Mapping by Nancy Marqulies & Nusa Maal
• Idea Mapping: How to Access Your Hidden Brain Power, Learn Faster, Remember More, and Achieve Success in Business by Jamie Nast
• Mindmapping: Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity & Problem-Solving by Joyce Wycoff
• Mind Maps at Work: How to Be the Best at Your Job & Still Have Time to Play by Tony Buzan
• Visual Thinking: Tools for Mapping Your Ideas by Nancy Marqulies & Christine Valenza
• Thinking Visually: Business Applications of 14 Core Diagrams by Malcolm Craig

About The Author

Adam Sicinski

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Mind Maps: How-to Guide With Examples

April 22, 2022 - 7 min read

What is a mind map, and how can it help organize ideas in our brains? A mind map is a highly effective tool used by creatives, marketers, and project managers to inspire their teams. In addition to sparking  employees’ creative juices, mind maps organize “timelines, dependencies, and responsibilities.” Furthermore, mind maps can serve as the initial step in your project planning process. 

Although it may sound like a far-fetched business tool, chances are you've used mind maps throughout your life. Whether it's a so-called "spider diagram" at school or planning out an essay in college, mind maps are very common. In fact,they even date back to the philosophers of ancient Greece and Leonardo da Vinci during the Renaissance.

While we all learn differently, many of us are much more attuned to visual learning, and mind maps use this to help us retain information more effectively. A 2002 study found that mind mapping improved the long-term memory of factual information in medical students by 10 percent, while another from the Mind Mapping Software Blog found that mind mapping can boost productivity by up to 23 percent.

Read on to discover what a mind map is, why it’s important, and how to use it to improve projects. Additionally, modern mind map tools like Miro can be seamlessly integrated with collaborative work management platforms like Wrike, ensuring a smooth transition from idea generation to project execution.

What is a mind map?

A mind map is an illustration with a keyword or phrase in the middle, lines connecting the middle to a main idea, and even more lines connecting the main ideas to details. Building out from the center, mind maps are often said to look like sunbursts or spiderwebs. Mind maps can have more than three levels (middle, main ideas, and details), but most stick with this model. 

Human brains don't organize all information into one strict hierarchical tree. Instead, associations radiating out (or in) from different connection points help our minds navigate a vast information pool to make decisions quickly. When written down, these associations create a mind map, a powerful communication and creativity tool used by many marketing project management teams. 

How to make a mind map

You may already be familiar with this tool if you’ve ever gone to public school, written an academic essay, or been diagnosed with dyslexia . 

Here’s how to create a mind map in five simple steps: 

• Choose the topic of the mind map and place it in the middle of the drawing 
• Come up with three to five main ideas, then evenly space them in a circular formation around the mind map topic 
• Draw a line from the mind map topic to each main idea 
• Brainstorm supporting details such as ideas, tasks, and questions for each main idea 
• Draw lines connecting each main idea to its supporting details 

Once the first draft is finished, add each main idea as a phase to your project management software. Create related tasks with due dates and assign them to team members. Add any questions or related ideas to individual task notes. 

Mind mapping examples

Effective brainstorming is all about starting with a clear purpose. In the following mind mapping examples, we’ll go over a couple of ways this tool can be used and the specific categories each team used to get the job done. 

1. Hello Digital Marketing

Creative agencies can use mind maps to develop a holistic business strategy that aligns marketing with customer service, productivity, and other key departments. In this mind mapping example, Hello Digital lays out three topics connected vertically, with their main ideas and details branching out to the right of the illustration. Here are the components the marketing agency uses in the productivity section: 

• Topic 1: Productivity
• Main idea 1: Project management
• Details: Wrike and other tools they use
• Main idea 2: Office tasks
• Details: Supplies, cleaning, and maintenance
• Main idea 3: Environment
• Details: Collaborative, cubicle, by department

Thinking of their marketing, customer service, and productivity as pieces of one big puzzle and mind mapping it out accordingly allows Hello Digital to connect action with impact so everyone can understand it at a glance. 

2. Inside Out: The Film

Independent filmmakers use mind maps to brainstorm “scenes, characters, ideas” as well as financing, production logistics, and target audiences. In this mind map example, the author builds their protagonist using one topic (the character’s name) and multiple main ideas, including: 

• Romantic life
• Personal style
• Personality type
• Family history 

The author says that the ideas formed here are easy to add to project management tools, which turn these inspirations into bite-size, accomplishable tasks. 

What are the benefits of mind maps?

In project management, creative brainstorming is key to solving problems, coming up with clear roadmaps, and generating unique outcomes, all of which are easy to do with mind mapping. 

Other mind map benefits for creative project management include: 

• Making meaningful connections between ideas
• Collaborating with teams virtually or when spread out across the globe
• Giving every team member space to contribute and have their voice heard
• Having a visual and easy-to-understand subject map
• Organizing a wide range of data, dependent projects, and related tasks 

What are the challenges of mind maps?

Mind maps are one of the most effective ways to encourage your marketing team’s best ideas , but they can be challenging to use at first. When learning how to mind map, it’s important to remember that this tool can be used for everything from big-picture business goals down to individual tasks within a subproject. Before your team begins brainstorming, agree on the mind map’s scope. If this isn’t clarified from the beginning, the mind map could be far too broad, narrow, or confusing for those who have to follow it later. 

How to inspire your creative team to use mind maps

If your team is feeling rundown or uninspired, give their creativity a boost using the B.U.I.L.D. model . The B.U.I.L.D. model is an acronym that stands for: B eing bored, U nwinding with a drink, I nspiring with color (i.e., using the psychology of colors and visual inspiration boards), L istening to music, and D rawing on paper. Doing these five actions in a row will help teams get out of their funk and develop better ideas for their mind map. 

Next steps: Put your mind map to work with Wrike

Now that you've discovered the potential of mind mapping to enhance creativity, foster better communication, and create foolproof project plans , it's time to find the perfect tool to streamline this process with your team. Wrike is your go-to solution for turning idea generation into seamless project execution. With powerful integrations like Miro , Wrike allows you to consolidate all your ideas into a neatly organized chart, making it easy for the entire company to visualize the project, tasks, and outcomes they're collectively working toward.

Maria Waida

Maria is a freelance content writer who specializes in blogging and other marketing materials for enterprise software businesses.

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What is a mind map?

Table of Contents

Understanding mind maps.

A mind map is a diagram that outlines your ideas in a visual format. Creating a mind map gives structure to your thoughts, giving you a clearer picture of what they are and how they relate.

Mind maps usually contain a central idea in the middle of the diagram. Then, connected ideas branch off from it. These ideas can be written as words or displayed as images. Lines (sometimes known as branches) join ideas to show how they relate to each other.

Let’s say you have a mind map about product development. Product development sits in the middle of your map, and the following ideas branch off from it:

New features

Customer feedback

Market trends

Competitor analysis

All of these subtopics are attached to the main idea with connection lines. These lines show that the subtopics relate to the central idea.

You might also connect some of your subtopics to each other. For instance, if you have customer feedback about a new product feature that aligns with trends in the marketplace, you could connect these two ideas to highlight their relationship.

Why use mind maps?

We know what a mind map is — but why are we using them at all?

Although the mind map and similar models have been used for centuries, it was first popularized by British psychologist  Tony Buzan  (who also invented the first speed-reading technique). He argued that traditional outlines required the thinker to take in information from left to right and top to bottom.

According to Buzan, those methods are inherently limiting and contrary to how we naturally process information. Mind maps allow us to follow the brain’s natural preference, which is to process information more holistically and non-linearly.

To further understand why mind mapping is so effective, let’s take a short detour into the world of cognitive science. What happens when you take a bite of your favorite food? Or recall a memory? Or watch a movie?

Every time a piece of information enters your brain, it becomes part of a complex neural network. This network is simply a collection of information in the form of central nodes with smaller, related branches radiating from each node. In other words? A mind map!

Mind mapping is exactly what your brain is programmed to do, and is doing, all the time. Your brain is basically a supercomputer with lines of thought radiating from massive constellations of data nodes. Using a mind map can help you unlock those constellations and present them in a way that’s easy to understand.

What are the benefits of mind mapping?

Mind mapping offers numerous benefits that can enhance learning, productivity, and creativity. Learning about these advantages helps form a more solid understanding of what a mind map is. Let’s take a look:

Generate new and creative ideas

Mind mapping is a great way to encourage innovative thinking and develop new ideas. The visual format encourages teams to break free from conventional thinking patterns and think outside the box. It also helps teams generate new ideas by building on top of contributions from other team members. For example, if someone suggests an idea for a new software feature, it might spark a new idea for someone else.

Make complex ideas easier to understand

A mind map is a simple way of breaking down a complex idea into smaller, more manageable parts. Think about a website launch as an example. There are many complex and technical elements to planning a website launch, but a mind map helps you break it down and visualize how all the different parts work together.

Effective planning

Mind maps are excellent tools for planning projects, outlining essays, or creating strategies, providing a visual roadmap that helps in understanding the entire scope and sequence of a project.

Improve collaboration

Mind mapping is an excellent place to start to boost team collaboration. It helps teams work together by encouraging open communication and allowing teams to discuss new ideas. Collaboration becomes even easier if you use an online platform to run your mind mapping sessions. With Miro, for example, you can add comments , upload visual notes , and add your mind map to presentations.

What type of projects are mind maps used for?

Mimicking the way our brains naturally associate and connect ideas is what a mind map’s design is all about. This makes them an effective tool for brainstorming , problem-solving, and strategic planning . Below are some common scenarios where using a mind map is helpful.

Project ideation

Use a mind map to generate new ideas for upcoming projects. You can discuss what type of projects you should run, why they’ll benefit the business, and what those projects should involve.

Process improvement

Mind maps help you identify new ways to improve your existing processes. Think about HR processes as an example. You could use a mind map to figure out how to improve onboarding or streamline the hiring process.

Product development

Mind mapping can help you generate new ideas for product development. You discuss new product features, upgrades, and other relevant improvements to your current product line.

Problem-solving

If you and your team are facing a problem, using a mind map can help you find new ways to solve it. For example, if you have a high customer turnover, you can use a mind map to identify the cause of the problem and devise a solution. Because mind mapping encourages creative thinking, it also helps teams develop solutions they might not have thought of otherwise.

Concept map vs. mind map: What’s the difference?

To properly cover what a mind map is, it’s important to consider what it isn’t. And it’s common to confuse mind maps with concept maps. That said, there are key differences.

A concept map focuses on the relationships between concepts, while a mind map focuses on a single core idea. Teams use concept maps to define how ideas relate to each other and to understand complex subjects.

Let’s use software development as an example of how a concept map helps teams to understand complex topics.

For teams to understand how to improve a piece of software, they need to know how it operates, which is where a concept map helps. It shows all the elements of the software and how they connect in a clear structure. As a result, teams can understand how the system works and identify areas of improvement.

Concept maps also use a hierarchical structure. The core concept sits at the top of the diagram, with related ideas underneath. The concepts are connected with lines or arrows, which are labeled to explain the relationship between them.

If you think a concept map is better suited to your needs, take a look at our Concept Map Template .

Create a mind map with Miro

Mind maps are valuable tools for generating new ideas and adding structure to your thoughts. For teams, they’re a great way to encourage collaboration and help team members think outside the box.

If you’re considering running a mind mapping session, dive into Miro’s Mind Map Template , or create a mind map from scratch for your next project. Learn more about how to make a mind map .

Discover more

What is a concept map?

How to make a concept map?

A guide to Venn diagrams

Bubble maps: Everything to know about this visual tool

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Mindmapping

Explore different facets of a problem, and organize your ideas for possible solutions.

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Get off to a great start and keep the momentum high.

Increase your chances of delivering a once-in-a-career, game-changing project.

Running the play

You can do mindmaping on your own, in pairs, or as a group.

Start with a question that is central to your topic or problem.

Make sure the question is somewhat specific – e.g., "How can we make creating Jira issues simpler?" is better than "How can we improve Jira issues?" Careful not to choose a question that boxes your brain into a corner – e.g., "How can we introduce 1-click create for JIRA issues?"

Turn your brain on (5 min)

Write your question in the middle of the whiteboard.

Now write down any thoughts that spring to mind in relation to this question (even if the thought isn't an answer, per se). Each thought should be a separate bubble hovering around the question in the middle.

Resist the urge to self-edit or over-think it at this stage. Just let it flow.

If you're working alone, good ol' paper and pencil work just as well as a whiteboard.

Branch out (10 min)

Once you've got an initial set of ideas, use each one to create a branch of more ideas. Make sure to connect them using circles, lines, arrows, etc. so it's easy to see how they map to each other.

For example...

Here's a mind map your friendly neighborhood Team Playbook team did recently. 

Grab the gold coins (5 min)

Go back over your mind map and highlight the ideas that resonate strongest with you. Is there anything missing? Or are there ideas worth exploring further?

With any luck, you'll have hit upon one or two ideas that get you un-stuck and solve your problem. If so, great. Move onto planning your next steps. If not, snap a photo of your mind map and share it with your team as a way of bringing them into the conversation.

Be sure to run a full Health Monitor session or checkpoint with your team to see if you're improving.

You can use the same bubbles-and-lines technique to record a group discussion or to capture the  peer feedback from a Sparring  session.

Related Plays

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Project teams.

Some sort of demonstration has been created and tested, that demonstrates why this problem needs to be solved, and demonstrates its value.

Shared understanding

Leadership teams.

The team has a  shared vision  and collective  purpose  which they support, and  confidence  they have made the right strategic bets to achieve success.

Customer centricity

Service teams.

Team members are skilled at  understanding , empathizing and resolving  requests with an effective customer feedback loop in place that drives improvements and builds trust to improve service offerings.