Mind Maps – Brainstorming Tool for Ideas and Topic Focus

A Mind Map is a great tool for getting the most ideas out of a general topic. The Mind Map allows you to focus on a general interest and branch off into the specifics of that interest. Once you are finished, the Mind Map diagram gives a visual of different ideas that are the sub parts of a larger key idea. Not only are Mind Maps a brainstorming tool, but can help with decision making and problem solving.

First, start with a general topic that you are interested in and write it down in the middle of your paper. Management, for example.  Then, circle it because is it your initial key idea.

Second, branch out topics that relate to Management. These topics are connected to your key idea, so draw a line from Management out to your branched out topics.

Management – Human Resources

Management – Performance

Third, think of more specific topics that continue to branch off those topics. Once again you are connecting these topics through line drawing:

Management – Human Resources – Recruiting

Management – Performance – Standard Matrix

Last, determine what detailed ideas can be used from these categories:

Management – Human Resources – Recruiting – Hiring Temporary Employees

Management – Performance – Standard Matrix – Department Standards in Manufacturing

Your diagram should look like a spider web of ideas, connecting to and from one topic to more detailed ideas. You will find that once the ideas start coming, your Mind Map will be full of potential ideas, topics, and/or solutions.

Hope this blog post was helpful to you, “Mind Maps – Brainstorming Tool for Ideas and Topic Focus”

Spunky Jones.