Mind Mapping as the tool of choice

I have chosen to apply the Mind Mapping tool. A mind map can be

used to represent a subject or an idea, structuring the information

in a map-like view. The topic is placed at center of the map (its

starting point) and then the concepts and details, are connected in

a logic, hierarchical way. For example:

Example of a mind map showing types of social networks

The example map above quickly informs the us about what the

topic is (types of social networks), what are the categories and sub-

categories (gaming, photography,…) and what are some items

within those categories (the social networks like Facebook,

Twitter, etc).

Application and insights

So after learning about the Mind Mapping tool, I started creating

maps at work and also for my MBA course. My insight was that the

tasks or assignments we execute are usually really repetition of

something already done in the past. However, although they’re

known, they are also too big or too complex for us to rely only on

our memories. Here’s where the mind mapping helps a lot.

The two below are some examples where I’m applying the mind

mapping:

• Starting a new project: using a mind map to organize

the dozens of things that a project manager has to

coordinate has greatly facilitated my work. Every project

basically contains the same items: scope (what’s in, what’s

out), timeline (dates, milestones), costs, resources

(people, equipments), risks and assumptions.

• Learning a new subject: to me, the hardest part of

learning a new subject, is visualizing how big it is and how

its concepts and details are interconnected. Creating a

mind map had a vast positive impact on my study because

I can, as I read through the pages, create the visual map

representation of the subject.

Final final considerations

As I am seeing the benefits of mind maps for both work and study,

I definitely plan to continue using the tool. I have identified some

pitfalls, though. Something I learned in these few weeks is that the

map itself can oversimplify an idea, only scratching its surface and

therefore not including important details. You have to learn to find

the right granularity for the information you’re mapping. And

another potential problem is that, although there are the “roads”

connecting your central subject and its concepts and specifics,

unless you create a narrative, it will be hard to make sense of what

you’re trying to learn/understand. Create a story in your head that

has a beggining, a development and an ending, so it’s all

cohesively tied together and engraved in your head.


Mind Mapping as the tool of choice I have chosen to apply the Mind Mapping tool . A mind map can be used to represent a subject or an idea , structuring the information in a map - like view . The topic is placed at center of the map ( its starting point ) and then the concepts and details , are connected in a logic , hierarchical way . For example : Example of a mind map showing types of social networks The example map above quickly informs the us about what the topic is ( types of social networks ) , what are the categories and sub- categories ( gaming , photography , … ) and what are some items within those categories ( the social networks like Facebook , Twitter , etc ) . Application and insights So after learning about the Mind Mapping tool , I started creating maps at work and also for my MBA course . My insight was that the tasks or assignments we execute are usually really repetition of something already done in the past . However , although they ’re known , they are also too big or too complex for us to rely only on our memories . Here ’s where the mind mapping helps a lot . The two below are some examples where I ’m applying the mind mapping : • Starting a new project : using a mind map to organize the dozens of things that a project manager has to coordinate has greatly facilitated my work . Every project basically contains the same items : scope ( what ’s in , what ’s out ) , timeline ( dates , milestones ) , costs , resources ( people , equipments ) , risks and assumptions . • Learning a new subject : to me , the hardest part of learning a new subject , is visualizing how big it is and how its concepts and details are interconnected . Creating a mind map had a vast positive impact on my study because I can , as I read through the pages , create the visual map representation of the subject . Final final considerations As I am seeing the benefits of mind maps for both work and study , I definitely plan to continue using the tool . I have identified some pitfalls , though . Something I learned in these few weeks is that the map itself can oversimplify an idea , only scratching its surface and therefore not including important details . You have to learn to find the right granularity for the information you ’re mapping . And another potential problem is that , although there are the “ roads ” connecting your central subject and its concepts and specifics , unless you create a narrative , it will be hard to make sense of what you ’re trying to learn / understand . Create a story in your head that has a beggining , a development and an ending , so it ’s all cohesively tied together and engraved in your head .