What is a mind map?

Mind map definition

A mind map is a diagram that outlines your ideas in a visual format. Creating a mind map gives structure to your thoughts, giving you a clearer picture of what they are and how they relate.

Mind maps usually contain a central idea in the middle of the diagram. Then, connected ideas branch off from it. These ideas can be written as words or displayed as images. Lines (sometimes known as branches) join ideas to show how they relate to each other.

Let’s say you have a mind map about product development. Product development sits in the middle of your map, and the following ideas branch off from it:

• New features

• Customer feedback

• Market trends

• Competitor analysis

All of these subtopics are attached to the main idea with connection lines. These lines show that the subtopics relate to the central idea.

You might also connect some of your subtopics to each other. For instance, if you have customer feedback about a new product feature that aligns with trends in the marketplace, you could connect these two ideas to highlight their relationship.

Why use mind maps?

Although the mind map and similar models have been used for centuries, it was first popularized by British psychologist Tony Buzan (who also invented the first speed-reading technique). He argued that traditional outlines required the thinker to take in information from left to right and top to bottom. According to Buzan, those methods are inherently limiting and contrary to how we naturally process information. Mind maps allow us to follow the brain’s natural preference, which is to process information more holistically and non-linearly.

To further understand why mind mapping is so effective, let’s take a short detour into the world of cognitive science. What happens when you take a bite of your favorite food? Or recall a memory? Or watch a movie? Every time a piece of information enters your brain, it becomes part of a complex neural network. This network is simply a collection of information in the form of central nodes with smaller, related branches radiating from each node. In other words? A mind map!

“Did you know that you use less than 1% of your brain? The good news is that mind mapping can help you to access the other 99%!” – Tony Buzan

Mind mapping is exactly what your brain is programmed to do, and is doing, all the time. Your brain is basically a supercomputer with lines of thought radiating from massive constellations of data nodes. Using a mind map can help you unlock those constellations and present them in a way that’s easy to understand.

What are the benefits of mind mapping?

Mind mapping offers numerous benefits that can enhance learning, productivity, and creativity. Here are some key advantages:

Generate new and creative ideas

Mind mapping is a great way to encourage innovative thinking and develop new ideas. The visual format encourages teams to break free from conventional thinking patterns and think outside the box. It also helps teams generate new ideas by building on top of contributions from other team members. For example, if someone suggests an idea for a new software feature, it might spark a new idea for someone else.

Make complex ideas easier to understand

A mind map is a simple way of breaking down a complex idea into smaller, more manageable parts. Think about a website launch as an example. There are many complex and technical elements to planning a website launch, but a mind map helps you break it down and visualize how all the different parts work together.

Effective planning

Mind maps are excellent tools for planning projects, outlining essays, or creating strategies, providing a visual roadmap that helps in understanding the entire scope and sequence of a project.

Improve collaboration

Mind mapping is an excellent place to start to boost team collaboration. It helps teams work together by encouraging open communication and allowing teams to discuss new ideas. Collaboration becomes even easier if you use an online platform to run your mind mapping sessions. With Miro, for example, you can add comments, upload visual notes, and add your mind map to presentations.

What type of projects are mind maps used for?

Mind maps mimic the way our brains naturally associate and connect ideas, making them an effective tool for brainstorming, problem-solving, and strategic planning. Below are some common scenarios where using a mind map is helpful.

Project ideation

Use a mind map to generate new ideas for upcoming projects. You can discuss what type of projects you should run, why they’ll benefit the business, and what those projects should involve.

Process improvement

Mind maps help you identify new ways to improve your existing processes. Think about HR processes as an example. You could use a mind map to figure out how to improve onboarding or streamline the hiring process.

Product development

Mind mapping can help you generate new ideas for product development. You discuss new product features, upgrades, and other relevant improvements to your current product line.

Problem-solving

If you and your team are facing a problem, using a mind map can help you find new ways to solve it. For example, if you have a high customer turnover, you can use a mind map to identify the cause of the problem and devise a solution. Because mind mapping encourages creative thinking, it also helps teams develop solutions they might not have thought of otherwise.

Concept map vs. mind map: What’s the difference?

A concept map focuses on the relationships between concepts, while a mind map focuses on a single core idea. Teams use concept maps to define how ideas relate to each other and to understand complex subjects.

Let’s use software development as an example of how a concept map helps teams to understand complex topics.

For teams to understand how to improve a piece of software, they need to know how it operates, which is where a concept map helps. It shows all the elements of the software and how they connect in a clear structure. As a result, teams can understand how the system works and identify areas of improvement.

Concept maps also use a hierarchical structure. The core concept sits at the top of the diagram, with related ideas underneath. The concepts are connected with lines or arrows, which are labeled to explain the relationship between them.

If you think a concept map is better suited to your needs, take a look at our Concept Map Template.

Create a mind map with Miro

Mind maps are valuable tools for generating new ideas and adding structure to your thoughts. For teams, they’re a great way to encourage collaboration and help team members think outside the box.

If you’re considering running a mind mapping session, dive into Miro’s Mind Map Template, or create a mind map from scratch for your next project. Learn more about how to make a mind map.