Manage with mind mapping
Would you like to manage your projects more efficiently? Mind mapping can help!
Its creator, Tony Buzan, describes it as the Swiss Army knife of intelligence. In fact, among all the tools available for managing projects within a company, mind mapping can be used to develop a strategy, manage a project or drive 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 project management?
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.
In fact, 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 ones) ;
- the originality of 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 ideas through two effects:
- priming: in a mind map, you don't use sentences but key words (as with Google). Your brain will be primed by the key word;
- category: grouping ideas into categories helps you generate more ideas. In fact, once you've found a category, your brain will generate other ideas belonging to that category.
Centralize information
When you're managing projects, most information is scattered throughout your information system: some is in your mailbox, others on your server, and so on.
With mind mapping software, you can centralize this information in a single map using hypertext links.
Efficient collaboration
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 as the discussion progresses.
What are the uses of mind mapping for managers?
Mind mapping is multi-purpose:
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.
Driving change
Mind mapping benefits from the Ikea effect. Indeed, when your team members co-create a mind map, they will adhere to the map's ideas and actions because they participated in its conception.
Develop a strategy
The mind map can also help you develop a strategy and action plan.
Make powerful presentations
Mind mapping was not originally designed for computer presentations, but rather for brainstorming or memorizing 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 with software? It all depends on your needs.
By hand, mind maps enable you to think more clearly and memorize information better. With post-its, you can also brainstorm more effectively.
On a computer, mind maps can be used to manage large quantities of data. What's more, you'll be able to share them more easily.
And, with a few exceptions, computerized mind maps look more professional.
How do you choose your professional mind mapping software?
Choosing the right mind mapping software depends on a number of factors:
Your needs
Will you be using your software to :
- manage a project?
- lead a meeting?
- brainstorm?
To manage a project from A to Z, you'll want software with dedicated project features like MindManager, MindView or Xmind 8 pro.
To lead a meeting, you'll prefer software with aesthetically pleasing maps, such as XMind.
For brainstorming, most mind mapping software is suitable.
Your budget
There's software for every budget. From 0 euros for FreePlane to 418 euros for a perpetual license of MindManager.
Interoperability
Most mind mapping software can be exchanged between XMind, MindManager and Freeplane formats.
Your frequency of use
Will you use mind mapping every day? Weekly? Every month?
If you don't plan to use mind mapping frequently, you may want to start with free or freemium software.
Your software environment
Are your workstations on Windows, Mac or Linux?
Are you immersed in a Microsoft environment, or do you prefer open-source software?
Some software packages, 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's little added value in giving your teams a self-designed map. Play the mind mapping card sincerely: 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 catalyze the collective intelligence of your teams, and thus gain in competitiveness.
So, are you ready to adopt mind mapping for yourself and your teams?
Article translated from French