A mind map displays information with related ideas branching out from a core concept. It can be helpful for everything from brainstorming and problem solving to decision-making and information sharing.
One of the best parts about mind mapping is that there’s endless room to be creative. Take a look at these seven different mind map examples from Miroverse and you’ll walk away with plenty of inspiration for your own diagrams. The next time you’re trying to plan for a product launch, learn something new, or even think of a new tagline, you’ll have a trusted resource to jumpstart the process.
Mind map example #1: Understand all aspects of your business
In a small business, every employee wears a lot of hats. Founders are also accountants; executive assistants are also HR reps; marketers are also content producers and social media experts. But as the business grows, departments can take a more traditional form with teams handling specific tasks and responsibilities. That’s a good thing, but it also can be a tricky transition all at once.
This Business Mindmap template created by the entrepreneurial community, De Brouwerij, helps you see and understand all of the different activities within your business — from finance and operations to sales and marketing. Armed with knowledge about possible departments, roles, and responsibilities within a typical business, you can start to imagine how you’ll transition your own.
Mind map example #2: Share your worldview
Want to build a better understanding of yourself or your team? This Worldview Mind Map template uses the circle mind mapping method to summarize a person’s assumptions, beliefs, values, and behavior.
You’ll use ovals to place key terms in each of the circle’s layers and arrows to connect concepts and provide a more well-rounded understanding of your perspective and experiences. You can use it as a team-building exercise or simply as an opportunity to learn more about yourself or your customers.
Mind map example #3: Solve a problem
Mind maps come in especially handy for brainstorming. With this Mindmapping template created by Atlassian, you’ll start by focusing on a specific question or problem. Then, jot down related thoughts or ideas using arrows and labels. This should be free-flowing — don’t pressure yourself into having answers yet.
When you’re ready, look back over your mind map and pick out the ideas or themes worth exploring. You’ll likely be surprised by how much a visual tool can help you think outside the box.
Mind map example #4: Learn the ins and outs of Scrum
Studying is another common use case for mind maps, as the visual format makes even the most complex information easier to process and retain.
If you need to learn the introductory elements of Scrum, for example, this Scrum Guide Map template created by Chuck Whoeza can help. It displays information from every chapter of the Scrum guide in an easy-to-follow map, so you can visualize and get a handle on the basics.
Mind map example #5: Design a better website
Building an effective website requires thinking about more than just design. You also need to consider the website’s objectives and user interactions.
You can work through all those aspects — your website’s goal, user profiles, user needs, and must-have functionality — with The Effect Map template from Diana Pottecher. Once you’ve laid out the groundwork, use the bottom section of the template to sketch out your site’s information architecture.
Mind map example #6: Keep track of who’s doing what
Understanding capacity, managing workloads, and juggling team priorities are difficult. That’s especially true for remote or hybrid teams where you don’t have instant visibility into what people are doing.
This Staffing Week Map template created by Huware gives you a quick and intuitive rundown of what project each team is working on, who’s involved, what step in the process they’re on, and how much time that project is expected to take. It’s an easy way for you, your team members, or other stakeholders to understand your staffing levels and focus areas for any given week.
Mind map example #7: Create an action plan
A goal is meaningless without action, and this Action Map template created by Tim Slade helps you break down goals into actionable steps and activities.
While the template is geared toward instructional designers, it’s easy to adapt to your unique needs. Put your goal in the center and then branch out to related actions that will push you closer to that goal. You can continue expanding outward to practice activities, information or resources, and other related concepts that help you execute those actions and meet your objective.
Inspired by these mind map examples? Create your own
Whether you want to use mind maps for brainstorming, problem solving, or communicating, use these examples as your inspiration and you’ll create a diagram that’ll help you sort through the clutter and do whatever work needs to be done.
