Mindmapping is one of the most basic methods to visually capture a wide variety of topics and to structure them. Starting from a central theme, all terms that come to the mind of the editors are included and linked in subcategories to this central theme with connecting arrows.
Depending on the desired level of detail and the necessary focus, some ideas, keywords and sub-items can already be formulated in advance and a maximum hierarchy depth can be defined. If the content framework is to be defined from the outset and thus restricted, it is helpful to draw a separate category or map for all topics that are not to be processed.
Graphically, in addition to colored representation, symbols, letters or numbers can be used to further concretize the nodes. By using digital mindmapping tools, additional detailed information attributes can also be gradually added to completely cover a topic area in several iteration loops.
From this, in addition to the basic visual information, attributes such as responsibility, effort or priorities can be assigned in order to transfer them to a later implementation process. In digital mind mapping tools, many functionalities are also reversible and extensible, so that work can be done there with a higher degree of freedom.
In addition, multi-dimensional links are also possible and thus different subject areas can be displayed as the main branch. The possibilities of filtering, formatting and attributing individual aspects also helps in the representation of complex ontologies.
Mindmapping is much more than a creative technique, and people especially like its ultimate degrees of freedom – it’s a true jack-of-all-trades. Tony Buzan, a British mental coach and author, coined the term mind map and saw to its introduction and initial dissemination. At first glance, you might think that mindmapping is just a so-called visualization technique, i.e. a way to make a subject clearly visible.
However, according to all experiences, the possibilities of mindmapping are almost unlimited. Mindmapping is a very efficient and universal creativity, note-taking and memorization technique that makes optimal use of the brain’s function.
Mindmapping greatly stimulates a person’s creativity. Many people we call geniuses today use mindmapping as a permanent companion in their daily lives. Conventional note-taking or diagramming typically uses only the left hemisphere of the brain. This half of the brain is responsible (in the vast majority of people) for analytical thinking. Here language, logic and numbers, ordered and linear things are processed. The right hemisphere of the brain, however, contains the visual imagination. Shapes, colors, patterns and rhythms are processed here. A mind map uses the capabilities of the right brain in addition to the left brain. This makes the best possible use of the brain’s capacity.
Mindmapping is therefore particularly suitable for brainstorming, but also for planning and structuring knowledge, taking minutes, preparing presentations, seminars and topic overviews. Mindmaps are also great for personal brainstorming and note-taking of any kind, for example in a meeting or seminar, when reading articles/books, making to-do lists, and especially on the phone.
