Sunday, September 25, 2005

101 Project Management Uses for Mind Mapping Software








OK, maybe not 101, but I can think of at least six uses:

1) As a graphical way to capture goals and objectives during project initiation
2) For brainstorming solution ideas
3) To facilitate WBS planning and creation
4) To facilitate issues management in a more organized fashion
5) For brainstorming project risks
6) For capturing lessons learned throughout and after a project

Most mind-mapping software (which allows drag-and-drop functionality to sort ideas by category) is inherently easy-to-use, and allows for a quick and graphic way of sorting ideas and issues, especially when done in a group atmosphere.

Mind Manager from Mindjet is a good example, and it even exports to MS/Word, Powerpoint, and MS/Project. Check out their site below for more details...

Mindjet: Software for Visualizing and Managing Information

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5 Comments:

At 2:38 PM, Anonymous David Whelbourn said...

I have used mindmapping software to capture and prioritize requirements during a facilitated meeting. The screen is projected onto a wall or screen so all can see the requirements and then assign a priority while seeing the overall position

 
At 10:30 PM, Blogger Hobart Swan said...

You can find some pretty good stories about how Mindjet's mapping software (MindManager Pro 6) is used in project management by going to http://www.mindjet.com/us/company/press_center/case_studies.php?s=2. The case studies for Embarcadero Technologies, Fortune 500 Energy Company, Genencor and NPR are good ones.

We hear that mapping is particularly good at the start of a project to brainstorm ways to "do it better this time," gather user requirements and create WBSs (toss out ideas for tasks first, drag and drop into logical order, then export to MS Project or as .MPX to switch to PM applications if you need to).

But as you say, mapping brings a lot of benefits to PM--at least 101! :>)
Hobie Swan
Mindjet

 
At 4:25 AM, Anonymous Jane Osborn said...

I like using ConceptDRaw MINDMAP together with ConceptDraw Project. I can brainstorm with the team and then export to CD Project.

 
At 12:54 AM, Blogger Sreejith said...

Nice to see this article & happy to understand that we share similar thoughts!
Check out this article:
Mind Mapping and Visual Thinking in Project Management

Cheers!

Sreejith

 
At 7:10 PM, Blogger djebar said...

Currently i prefer use an tool OSS like Freemind

 

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