Mind-Mapping

I love mind-maps.  If I just give you an idea of a project through mind-map, it would be: first start by classifying your major project tasks in a mind map format.  From this point onwards, you would be able to add tasks and sub-tasks and assign them to the project team, while creating completion timelines. It is always simpler to estimate the timeline for smaller tasks that encompass the major components of the project.

Mind map gives you a visual view of how the whole thing flows outward from the centre. Once all the tasks in the project are identified, then come the assignment to resources and establishing timelines.

If you have not already guessed it, this is the time to take care of your project chart. Now you will take the tasks on the mind map and add resources (people and tools) to them.  It will also include all dependencies, scopes, and allows you to create accountability for team members.

The mind-mapping method offers a difference and delivers with impact.  It is a good way to brainstorming of ideas, making action plans and presenting the whole thing in one shot.  I find them to be more stimulating at times of presentation.

You can use mind-mapping for just about anything.  Schedules, meetings, proposals.  You can draw connections between tasks and find out how everything affects each other in a visual way, which in turn makes prioritization easier.

To me, mind mapping is about consolidating massive amount of information, which creates a perfect platform for analyzing business requirements, making decisions, SWOT, Balanced Scorecards, and any business model you can come up with can be simplified and enhanced in this manner.  The radiating property of mind-map allows for boundless development of the ideas, while keeping a comprehensible structure; at the same time giving you a holistic snapshot. This can be useful in anything you do, process or otherwise.

Map Away!!!!