Reflection – Mind Mapping

Challenge & Selection:

I am working with intellectual property management team in the organization, where we work in a

team to secure research activities carried out across various departments. Our intent is to protect the

company’s intellectual asset covering on-going developments as well as any possible future outcome

of the same. The tool of mind-mapping with related visuals has been a very apt to the situation that

we are dealing with. Often we end up having multiple data points on the table, which we need to

analyze creatively to put forth our visions. An another major issue is to have a common understanding

about our findings in the team and to convince the same to concerned stakeholders, which is very

crucial to incorporate the current data set and also to derive possibilities of further data generation. I

was all set to explore “what is” available by applying the mind mapping tool to arrive at “what if”

possibilities to design the way forward.

Application:

I started the process by having a clear visibility regarding what is available in front of myself and among

my team members. The existing material was in the form of project product concept, procedural

challenges to achieve the target, on-going product development stages, experimental outcome and

related data set, or upcoming project plans, or any combinations such materials. There were various

stakeholders involved from several departments in generating such material. Our purpose was to

compile all the material in a manner that also include inherent or anticipated strategies and values.

We, in a team, initiated mind mapping exercise with uncovering deep understanding of what is. We

worked on asking ourselves, if anything were possible out of our “what is” studies. Further, if anything

were possible, what criteria would our proposed compilation meet? We noted our observations from

the data based on our analysis. We also worked on to create association among the existing material,

and relationship with pre-existing concepts. During the process, the unusual elements were combined

including creating a link between the current experimental results with hypothetical results to draw a

line for the future experiment plans! There were multiple arrangements and rearrangements done

while applying the tool and techniques of mind mapping. We practiced all flexibility to visualize our

observations using words, images, numbers, colors, logic, rhythm, or even spatial diagrams. Later on,

we collated our findings, and created a view that combines the shared and new insights from the team

discussion.

We then created a revised mind map that incorporates everyone’s feedback and proposed changes

that were agreed in the team and also with the stakeholders. Additionally, we thought through

anticipated results, expecting to find that a more agile approach would improve our workflow, and

that both our team and the key stakeholders would be fairly open to the new prioritization of tasks

and process.

Insight:

It was clearly realized from the mind mapping exercise that mind maps are more visual and depict

associations between key words that are much easier to recall than linear notes. Interestingly, we

were able to identify some very unknown but inherent aspects from our existing data set. That really

helped to broaden our experimental plans and to fence the on-going activities in much wider angle of

intellectual protection. The comprehension around the mind mapping was an eye opener in the team.

The whole exercise circling around creativity and intuition formed a fitting base for our next task of

preparing official documents and reports, which would then appropriately represent all compiled

research plans and related outcome. We extracted the meaning from available data, and during the

process let the patterns and insight emerged that was easier to show case in front of the stakeholders

and also to bring out white space to incorporate any further unexpected elements in our compilation.

Mind mapping, being more visual and more intuitive, there is a clear scope of bringing out

serendipitous invention by applying this tool. Mind maps allowed associations and links to be recorded

and reinforced appropriately.

Additional point is, we ended up spending some more amount of time around this activity starting

from creating process of defining the scope, boundaries, key elements, and relationships between

elements to consider when identifying pain points and opportunities for improvements or solutions.

Approach:

Given that we, in a team has already gone through several mind mapping formats and at this stage in

the timeline, the mind mapping has been very much appropriate tool for our work area as I mentioned

previously. Our team needs to review the insight gained from our initial mind mapping exercise and

incorporate the same into related future activities. The another important finding is, mind mapping

should be initiated at very early stage during our development plans to reflect on the progress made,

and come closer to a compelling solution without spending undue additional time on reinventing the

wheel. Now I can prepare ahead and think of mind mapping to come closer to a compelling solution

that will assist me in presenting my compilations and best illuminate them. Future mind mapping

designs would be considered early in the project pipeline to have consistent identification of new

horizons throughout the process of project development.


Reflection – Mind Mapping Challenge & Selection : I am working with intellectual property management team in the organization , where we work in a team to secure research activities carried out across various departments . Our intent is to protect the company ’s intellectual asset covering on - going developments as well as any possible future outcome of the same . The tool of mind - mapping with related visuals has been a very apt to the situation that we are dealing with . Often we end up having multiple data points on the table , which we need to analyze creatively to put forth our visions . An another major issue is to have a common understanding about our findings in the team and to convince the same to concerned stakeholders , which is very crucial to incorporate the current data set and also to derive possibilities of further data generation . I was all set to explore “ what is ” available by applying the mind mapping tool to arrive at “ what if ” possibilities to design the way forward . Application : I started the process by having a clear visibility regarding what is available in front of myself and among my team members . The existing material was in the form of project product concept , procedural challenges to achieve the target , on - going product development stages , experimental outcome and related data set , or upcoming project plans , or any combinations such materials . There were various stakeholders involved from several departments in generating such material . Our purpose was to compile all the material in a manner that also include inherent or anticipated strategies and values . We , in a team , initiated mind mapping exercise with uncovering deep understanding of what is . We worked on asking ourselves , if anything were possible out of our “ what is ” studies . Further , if anything were possible , what criteria would our proposed compilation meet ? We noted our observations from the data based on our analysis . We also worked on to create association among the existing material , and relationship with pre - existing concepts . During the process , the unusual elements were combined including creating a link between the current experimental results with hypothetical results to draw a line for the future experiment plans ! There were multiple arrangements and rearrangements done while applying the tool and techniques of mind mapping . We practiced all flexibility to visualize our observations using words , images , numbers , colors , logic , rhythm , or even spatial diagrams . Later on , we collated our findings , and created a view that combines the shared and new insights from the team discussion . We then created a revised mind map that incorporates everyone ’s feedback and proposed changes that were agreed in the team and also with the stakeholders . Additionally , we thought through anticipated results , expecting to find that a more agile approach would improve our workflow , and that both our team and the key stakeholders would be fairly open to the new prioritization of tasks and process . Insight : It was clearly realized from the mind mapping exercise that mind maps are more visual and depict associations between key words that are much easier to recall than linear notes . Interestingly , we were able to identify some very unknown but inherent aspects from our existing data set . That really helped to broaden our experimental plans and to fence the on - going activities in much wider angle of intellectual protection . The comprehension around the mind mapping was an eye opener in the team . The whole exercise circling around creativity and intuition formed a fitting base for our next task of preparing official documents and reports , which would then appropriately represent all compiled research plans and related outcome . We extracted the meaning from available data , and during the process let the patterns and insight emerged that was easier to show case in front of the stakeholders and also to bring out white space to incorporate any further unexpected elements in our compilation . Mind mapping , being more visual and more intuitive , there is a clear scope of bringing out serendipitous invention by applying this tool . Mind maps allowed associations and links to be recorded and reinforced appropriately . Additional point is , we ended up spending some more amount of time around this activity starting from creating process of defining the scope , boundaries , key elements , and relationships between elements to consider when identifying pain points and opportunities for improvements or solutions . Approach : Given that we , in a team has already gone through several mind mapping formats and at this stage in the timeline , the mind mapping has been very much appropriate tool for our work area as I mentioned previously . Our team needs to review the insight gained from our initial mind mapping exercise and incorporate the same into related future activities . The another important finding is , mind mapping should be initiated at very early stage during our development plans to reflect on the progress made , and come closer to a compelling solution without spending undue additional time on reinventing the wheel . Now I can prepare ahead and think of mind mapping to come closer to a compelling solution that will assist me in presenting my compilations and best illuminate them . Future mind mapping designs would be considered early in the project pipeline to have consistent identification of new horizons throughout the process of project development .