Manage with mind mapping
Do you want to manage your projects more efficiently? Mind mapping can help!
Its creator, Tony Buzan, describes it as the Swiss Army knife of intelligence. Within a company, mind mapping is one of the many tools available for managing projects, and can be used to develop a strategy, manage a project or manage change.
You can do it by hand or with dedicated software such as MindManager or XMind 8 pro.
What are the advantages of mind mapping for managing your projects?
Managing with mind mapping has many advantages.
A global view
Mind mapping gives you a global view of your business.
For example, you can create a computer map of all your projects. Each project can in turn become a sub-map.
Boost your team's creativity
The mind map is a highly effective tool for brainstorming.
Creativity is based on two fundamental principles:
- the number of ideas (the more ideas you have, the more likely you are to come up with good ideas) ;
- the originality of the ideas (if you have ideas that I don't have, you're a little more creative than I am).
The mind map will enable you to multiply your ideas through two effects:
- priming: in a mind map, you don't use sentences but key words (like with Google). Your brain will be primed by the key word;
- the category: grouping ideas into categories allows you to generate more ideas. Once you've found a category, your brain will generate other ideas belonging to that category.
Centralising information
When you're managing projects, most of the information is scattered around your information system: some is in your email, others on your server, and so on.
With mind mapping software, you can centralise this information in a single map using hypertext links.
Collaborate effectively
You can use mind mapping to conduct collaborative meetings, for example. You project the agenda in the form of a mind map.
A member of your team then takes charge of adding to the map based on the discussions.
What are the uses of mind mapping for managers?
Mind mapping has many uses:
Managing projects
You can use mind mapping to break down your projects into stages and actions.
Some mind mapping software, such as XMind 8 pro or MindManager, can generate a Gantt chart to help you keep track of your project.
Leading change
The mind map benefits from the Ikea effect. When the members of your team co-create a mind map, they will adhere to the ideas and actions in the map because they participated in its design.
Developing a strategy
The mind map can also help you develop a strategy and an action plan.
Make powerful presentations
Mind mapping was not originally designed for computer presentations, but rather for brainstorming or memorising information.
However, more and more people are turning to mind mapping to combat the boredom of poorly designed PowerPoint presentations.
Some software packages (MindManager, Mindview, Xmind etc.) offer a presentation mode. You can reveal your mind map branch by branch automatically.
Making a mind map: by hand or with software?
Should you create your mind maps by hand or using software? It all depends on your needs.
By hand, mind maps allow you to think more clearly and memorise information better. With post-its, you can also brainstorm more effectively.
On a computer, mind maps can be used to manage large amounts of data. What's more, you'll be able to share them more easily.
What's more, with a few exceptions, computerised mind maps look more professional.
How do you choose your professional mind mapping software?
Choosing mind mapping software depends on a number of factors:
Your needs
Will you be using your software to :
- manage a project?
- Run a meeting?
- brainstorm?
To manage a project from start to finish, you'll want software with dedicated project features such as MindManager, MindView or Xmind 8 pro.
To run a meeting, choose software with attractive maps, such as XMind.
Most mind mapping software is suitable for brainstorming.
Your budget
There's software for every budget. From 0 euros for FreePlane to 418 euros for a perpetual licence of MindManager.
Interoperability
Most mind mapping software can be exchanged using the XMind, MindManager and Freeplane formats.
How often you use it
Will you use mind mapping every day? Every week? Every month?
If you don't expect to use mind mapping frequently, you can opt for free or freemium software first.
Your software environment
Are your workstations on Windows, Mac or Linux?
Are you immersed in a Microsoft environment or do you prefer free software?
Some software such as MindManager and Mindview interface with Microsoft software. You can export your maps to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, etc.
A management philosophy
If you want to use mind mapping as a management tool, follow the mind mapping philosophy.
There is little added value in giving your teams a map that you have designed yourself. Play the mind mapping card in all sincerity: Invite your teams to co-design the various mind maps.
Mind mapping will literally change the way you manage. Thanks to the mind map, you'll have a real cockpit for steering your activities.
What's more, you'll be able to harness the collective intelligence of your teams, making you more competitive.
So, are you ready to adopt mind mapping for yourself and your teams?
Article translated from French