Mind maps are going mainstream. They're showing up throughout the office, with a wide variety of users and uses.
Initially, mind maps were simply a brainstorming, outlining, or note-taking tool. Now, they are showing up in thought processing, visual thinking, project management, process planning and presentations.
Tony Buzan is the father of modern mind mapping. Here is a video where he describes mind mapping and why you might want to use its "radiant thinking" process.
Tony Buzan's company recently released iMindMap 5. It is software that helps you create mind maps. Here is a map made with iMindMap that explains the basic best practices of mind-mapping.
iMindMap 5 is a great tool that keeps getting better. You can certainly use it for a lot more than taking notes.
The product comes in various versions (starting with a no-cost basic version) and moving up to a full-featured Ultimate version, which includes rich project management and 3-D presentation tools.
Here is a video showing the software.
The current generation of mind mapping tool is considerably more powerful, yet easier-to-use, than its predecessors. You can download a copy of iMindMap to try for yourself.
Next week, in part 2, I will show examples of maps made for specific business uses.
