In a previous post, I outlined how to make a mind map to help organize your ideas. But, before making a mind map and committing to making mind maps as a part of your workflow, you have the important choice to make of what mind mapping software to use. Ideally, it should take no more time to make a mind map than it takes to make an outline in a word processor, and rearranging your mind map should take even less time. Your mind mapping software should give you:
- Automatic formatting of your mind map - the software should automatically create connecting lines between your mind map boxes and boxes should be easy to add.
- Ease of adding new topics and subtopics to your mind map
- Flexbility in moving topics and subtopics around as your thinking matures and you have new or different ideas
- Ability to export your mind maps to common file formats to share with you team and colleagues
- Integration with a variety of other features and the ability to link to other visuals and documents
I have put together this mind map as a start to how a mind map can help you consider your options for your mind mapping software purchase:
Several programs, including SmartDraw, meet these criteria, but only SmartDraw automates the conversion of a mind map into a project plan. This video shows how easy it is to create a mind map with SmartDraw:
In addition to mind maps, SmartDraw makes it possible to create powerful visuals of all kinds—more than 70 different types. Click here to watch the SmartDraw Guided Tour video. We also have a variety of other videos on the SmartDraw website and on our YouTube channel.
To view the mind map I created for this blog post and add your own criteria, feel free to download the mind map using the link below. In order to access and edit the file, you will need a copy of SmartDraw on your desktop. If you do not already have SmartDraw, download a free trial here.
[Example] Mind Mapping Software Criteria.sdr
