Mind Map

Branson Mind Map

David Kelly IDEO introduced mind maps in his book (see his diagram below in comments). Here’s a mind map for billionaire Richard Branson who’s very public persona helps make this relevant. Excuse the clip art gone wild.

A mind map is a diagram used to visually outline information. A mind map is often created around a single word or text, placed in the center.

Brandon’s focus on adventuring and daring earn him top respect.

Major categories radiate from a central node, and lesser categories are sub-branches of larger branches.Categories can represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items related to a central key word or idea. Mindmaps can be drawn by hand, either as “rough notes” during a lecture or meeting, for example, or as higher quality pictures when more time is available. An example of a rough mind map is illustrated.

6 Replies to “Mind Map”

  1. Business Week said:

    David Kelley, founder of IDEO and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, uses mind maps to foster creativity. Mind maps are a popular thinking tool in Silicon Valley.

    Here’s why: “When I want to do something analytical, I make a list. When I’m trying to come up with ideas or strategize, I make a mind map. Mind maps are organic and allow me to free associate.

    are great for asking questions and revealing connections between seemingly unrelated ideas. I start in the center with the issue or problem I am working on and then as I move farther away I get better and better ideas as I force myself to follow the branches on the map and in my mind.

    The cool thing is that you allow yourself to follow your inner thoughts, which is different than making a list where you are trying to be complete and deal with data.”

  2. My mind map would look like a crazy mess. I am all over the place. Combine that with taking on too many projects, ambition and dissorganization. A toxic mix, for sure!

    1. You sound just like me. I’m super scatterbrained… but that just means I’m brilliant in all things in life, right? 😉

  3. I have never heard of mind maps but I think the concept is very interesting. It could not only be entertaining, but also used as a tool to maybe understand why we are where we are in life or even to help us take our personal and professional lives to the next level.

Leave a Reply to efpierce Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *