MindMapping

//The art of visualizing concepts//
 * MINDMAPPING**

**What it is**

A mindmap, also known as a concept map, is a diagram that depicts connections between organizations, people, concepts, objects, ideas, tasks, events, etc. These elements can be represented with many types of media, including text, images and video and are visually connected to each other through the use of arrows. To make the meaning of these connections explicit, the arrows can be labelled with text. The connections can also be classified using different types of lines (thick, dashed, etc.) and different colours. Finally, arrows can be either be bi-directional or directed from one concept to another, depending on the type of relationship.

Concept maps are very useful to generate, visualize, structure, and classify knowledge, particularly tacit knowledge, and also as an aid in problem solving, decision making, strategic analysis, debriefing, and collaborative brainstorming. One very useful characteristic of mindmapping is that it can be developed without the need of technology: paper and markers are often enough..

**When to use it**

In the context of meetings, mindmaps are useful tools to graphically represent and structure the result of brainstorming activities.
 * Mindmaps are useful to develop a conceptual breakdown of ideas. This breakdown can illustrate links and connections between people, concepts, ideas, organizations, etc., which becomes clearer when they are visualized.
 * Concept maps are useful in problem solving. When used in this context, mindmaps involve four types of "concepts": problem description, causes, effects and solutions.
 * Mindmaps can be used to provide structure to argument.


 * How it is applied**
 * Start out by drawing a tree.
 * Place the topic to be discussed at the roots of the tree.
 * The first layer of the tree will consist of arguments that support the subject, the second layer will have proofs that support the arguments identified and the final layer can contain conclusions. Intermediate layers can be created to include counter arguments already known or that one can expect to come across during meetings, advocacy activities, etc.
 * Mindmaps can be used to analyse characteristics of concepts by simply connecting a central concept with all the characteristics a team can come up with.
 * A context analysis can be supported by the use of concept maps where a situation, project, plan, etc. is connected to the classic "What?, Why?, Where?, When?, Who? and How?" questions
 * Storylines and narrative can be structured with the use of concept maps by including in the map characters, context, sequence of events, internal structure of the plot, etc.

**What to consider**

Technological considerations


 * There are many online/downloadable tools that allow for the creation of mindmaps or concept maps, such as: [], [], [], [])
 * Check the characteristics of the software you intend to use to see what kind of maps it can create, the formats in which maps can be exported to and the level of interactivity and collaboration the tool allows for.
 * Do not forget that mindmaps can also be done manually, without the aid of software. A manual mindmap is particularly appropriate in the context of meetings and training.


 * Methodological considerations**


 * Start in the middle of the page with an image of the topic or a single word
 * Keep topic labels as short as possible
 * Always make the meaning of connections explicit.
 * Do not use too many types of connections.
 * Be visual: use colours, drawings, symbols
 * Be ready to spot links that are concepts in their own right.
 * For brainstorming: write down or draw all your thoughts around the central topic. Once all the ideas are there, organize them through relationships


 * Example**


 * Where to learn more**

[|http://itcilo.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/map-your-mind] The Mind Map Book by mindmapping guru, Tony Buzan Mindmapping on **K’s toolkit**: http://www.kstoolkit.org/Mindmapping [] Short video clips on different uses of mindmaps [] [] []