MINDMAPS

Tony Buzan
Founder and President

OVERVIEW
What are is a mindmap?
Why mindmap?
How to mindmap
Resources

WHAT IS A MINDMAP?

A mindmap is a visual way of organizing ideas in

a web-like structure.

SAMPLE HAND DRAWN MINDMAP

WHY MINDMAP?
Use right brain (visual, intuitive) as well as left
brain (logical, linear)
Make new connections between ideas
Fast and easy to create
Easy to learn
Fun!

BENEFITS OF MINDMAPS
Visual
Hierarchical
Easy to connect distant ideas
Like an outline
Brain dump first, then easy to rearrange ideas

MINDMAP PARTS
What constitutes a Mindmap?
Center word and image
Branches
Sub-branches less important info
Single keywords
Images and color

HOW TO CREATE A MINDMAP

Paper on side (landscape)
Draw Central image
Add key words and branch lines
Add sub-branches, associate ideas
Print
Add emphasis

KEY WORDS
One word!
Forces you to think before you write

MINDMAP STEPS
Prepare

Generate

map
Associate freely
Review
Incubate take a break!
Re-organize
New map in clockwise sequence
Act

USES OF MINDMAPS
Planning
Brainstorming
Group thinking
Documenting
Note taking
Resources

MINDMAP DESIGN TIPS

Single words
Use colors
Use pictures

SIX QUESTIONS

HOW TO MINDMAP

Turn a large, white sheet of paper landscape.

Gather a selection of coloured pens, ranging from fine nib to highlighter
Select the topic, problem or subject to be Mind Mapped.
Gather any materials, research or additional information.
Start in the centre with an unframed image - approximately 6 cm high
and wide for A4 and 10 cm for A3.
Use dimension, expression and at least three colours in the central
image in order to attract attention and aid memory.
Make the branches closest to the centre thicker, attached to the image
and wavy (organic). place the Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs) or chapter
heading equivalents on the branches.
Branch thinner lines off the end of the appropriated BOI to hold
supporting data (most important closest).
Use images wherever possible.
The image or word should always sit on a line of the same length.
Use colours as your own special code to show people, topics, themes or
dates to make the Mind Map more beautiful.
Capture all ideas (your own or others) then edit, re-organise, make
more beautiful, elaborate or clarify as a second stage of thinking.

Copyright 2007 Tony Buzan Learning Centre

CONCLUSION
Mindmaps are increase thinking and
remembering
Improve developer and business discussions
Easy to use

RESOURCES
Tony Buzan www.mind-map.com
Mindmapper www.mindmapper.com
Open mind www.matchware.net
Fuseminder and mindfuser www.grokfusebox.com
Innovation Tools
www.innovationtools.com/resources/mindmapping.asp
Google Directory
www.google.com/Top/Reference/Knowledge_Managem
ent/Knowledge_Creation/Mind_Mapping/
Mapping Inner Space Nancy Margiulies and Nusa
Maal