Chuck Frey, author of the mind mapping software blog, recently ran and last week released the results of a survey about how people like you use mind maps in the workplace. We aren't surprised to see that "nearly half of respondents said that mind mapping software has had a 'significant effect' on the way in which they work." Be sure to check out the full survey results.
Using Mind Maps With SmartDraw
When you find yourself saddled with tasks and maybe even management duties, this can be overwhelming. When you are a manager, not only are you responsible for your own tasks, but you are on the line for the tasks of those you manage. There are four simple techniques that you can easily implement to immediately help you manage your tasks:
- Organize your ideas using a mind map
- Optimize your operations using process maps (otherwise known as flowcharts)
- Organize your team using organization charts and team charts
- Manage your work with a project chart (Tip: these are easily created from mind maps when you are using SmartDraw!)
But, really, the key to getting things done on time is getting things - ideas, people, and projects - organized in a consistent way. I strongly agree with Chuck Frey's survey that there is no better way to get organized than with a mind map.
Why Use a Mind Map
Mind Maps are great tools in business. A mind map is a visual outline with a central box as the top-level idea, topics as bullets bellow it, subtopics as elements of each bullet, and so on. I find that using a mind map is a very efficient way to record ideas during a brainstorming session. After the brainstorming session, it is easy for me to see all of my ideas and tasks. After that, all I have to do is organize them into a coherent plan.
Why use a mind map instead of an outline? There are various types of mind maps you can create, but mind maps are always better than outlines because:
- They are easier to read than bulleted lists
- They are better for brainstorming
- They are much more interesting than bullets when presenting your ideas in a PowerPoint Presentation
- They are much more spatially efficient since you can branch out your ideas horizontally (lists, like this one, grow mostly vertically)
- Mind maps let you see what you're thinking, while bulleted lists don't convey ideas with the same level of clarity as a mind map
Click here to learn how to make a mind map in SmartDraw. Plus, we have some tips on how to choose the best mind mapping software for you. Does your workplace use mind maps? If so, how?
