Brainstorming with Mindmaps

Ever since Prof. Bakshi introduced us to mind maps, I have been using them for brainstorming, taking notes, making decisions, and work etc. And its very useful tool. If you use it long enough, it becomes your second nature. So much so that I have a hard time thinking without a mindmap.

Anyways, a mind map is like a hub and a spoke thingy with hub being the topic you want to brainstorm/think/work on. From the hub, you draw out spokes that influence the central idea. And then the node you just created becomes the new hub and you draw out things that might influence the node (and in effect the central decision). And you iterate till you cant think more or you run out of space.

More about mind maps on this wikipedia article.

The best part about using a mind map is that you see everything in one glance to the screen. And then it helps you discover relationships that you would have otherwise ignored. It helps you in making a laundry list of ideas.

Most brainstorming/ideation goes wrong when you either shoot down an idea too soon. Or when you get enamored by an idea so much, that you start digging deeper into it. With a mind map, you save yourself from both these traps. You just take note of the idea/thought. You move onto the next one.

Enough said. Go try it. You may either use a pen and a paper. Or you may use some software. Plenty are available. I use the free version xmind for my maps. Its easy and intuitive. Works fast. And powerful enough to allow me to present complex ideas. Presented above is a mind map I created when I was thinking about a blog!