Using mind mapping for developing ideas

"Mind mapping is a technique based on memory and creativity and comprehension and understanding, so when the student or a child uses the mind map, they are using their brain in the way their brain was designed to be used, and so the mind helps them in all learning and cognitive skills. It simply helps them in what the brain does naturally"

                                                                                        _Tony Buzan, inventor of Mind Mapping

One of the useful techniques which I have learned about it through design thinking workshop is mind mapping. I considered that a mind map can be a plan or diagram used to capture my opinions and bring them to existence in visual form. It is a hierarchical chart and displays connections between parts of the whole and can be formed around a particular perception, drawn as a picture in the middle of a blank page, to which linked illustrations of notions such as words, images and some parts of words are added. However, major thoughts are linked directly to the main concept located in the center, and other notions branch out from the central idea like a tree. Honestly, by applying this tools I realize that it helps me be creative, innovative, and address the problems more effectively.    

 

The first time which I tried to do mind mapping was a little confusing for me, but by redoing it over and over, I considered how to create my personal mind map effectively to come up with ideas and find better solutions for problems. In fact, the following structure really helped me to do it correctly:

1.      Begin with my idea or the concept

At first, we need to put the main idea or concept in an image form, in the center of an empty page. Space on the page should be provided smartly and even freely to facilitate our mental active and don’t let your brain feel uncontrolled. Also sometimes we need a space to occupy more and more ideas. Starting the mind mapping from the center can provide the brain without any restrictions move in all directions and expose thoughts or solutions more freely and logically.

2.      Outline the organization of your idea and define the structure

Make the basic and main structure by which you will be forming your ideas. Probably, the structure can embrace branches spreading out from the main point/idea and drawn as thick lines.

3.      Specify each branch

Set or write down a main word or image for every single branch as your ideas come. Let the ideas to move fast and freely without any judgements or rewarding on whether they are senseless or effective. Moreover, you should draw freely and casually, and there is no need regarding the beauty of your illustration.

4.      Highlight your main concern and priorities

The concepts or ideas which are less important can be represented as the small branches and or thinner lines.

5.      Spread out your mind map by further ideas/solutions

By realizing new information and ideas try to join them to the mind map in a proper manner.

6.      Review and correct faults and make an improvement.

After the first try, let your mind to get relaxed and settled. then you can revisit what you have done. Review and revise it and make any changes in order to improve it. Sometimes, you need to create another mind map and a different sheet of paper may be required for this.

Though mind maps track a common flow of steps, the usage of an exclusive method in drawing the branches to envision the relationship among ideas develops the performance of the brainstorming session. Indeed, mind mapping can help us to achieve the subsequent factors (Elmansy, 2015):

•   Having effective communicating ideas and meeting time;
•   Advance communication and teamwork inside and among teams;
•  Upsurge efficiency via better thinking approaches;
•   Backup the procedure of project management (PM) as it can join with the PM planning.

Reference and read more:

How to Use Mind Mapping for Better Thinking

http://www.designorate.com/how-to-use-mind-mapping/