From Fringe to Mainstream

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From Fringe to Mainstream

30 December 2009 2,296 views View Comments

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Why after almost 40 years; do we have to explain what Mind mapping is to almost every colleague, client and potential we meet?

Most (not all admittedly) who look over my shoulder while I am graphically mapping out information, invariably ask, “What is that”. It does become rather tedious after a while; doesn’t it?

But, as a consultant and trainer, I persevere with this question numerous times, and I go through the same old same old process of taking some through a discovery, which undoubtedly changes their perception of how they may create, manage and exchange knowledge.

OK, I just vented, but it’s true; after almost 40 years we still have to explain away Mind mapping. And, the truth of the matter is; we’ve moved way beyond Mind mapping and have been exposed to the tools, methods and Mindset of Visual mapping. For some; an evolution towards Knowledge mapping has been the result of exposure to many Visual mapping approaches.

“Visual mapping includes but is not limited to Mind, concept, flow and argument mapping” And of course; there are many other tools that enhance our graphical expressiveness.

It can be said with a high degree of confidence; a shift is taking place regarding current perceptions of the data, information and knowledge processes associated with, the nature and implications of systems thinking.

As much as we haven’t experienced a wholesale adoption of Mind mapping at the base level, I firmly believe we may have missed the point of the range of Mind and Visual mapping products. I am absolutely sure it was never the intention of Mr. Buzan to enable people to perpetually visit a graphical framework, making it look even more colorful and pleasing to the eye.

“Information Management” is the core of the tools, methods and Mindset of Information and Knowledge mapping. If we accept that Data (which is made up of numbers, words and images) when aggregated becomes information (when contextualized), eventually becomes relevant Knowledge; we are somewhat on the way to realizing the true nature of process and system.

So as 2010 envelopes us, I encourage you to consider expressing your thoughts, feelings and desired actions for taking the full range of Visual mapping tools, methods and mindset to the mainstream. Please consider joining us at a growing Linkedin group named Visualmapper; here you’ll find many professional Visual mappers from varied backgrounds, ranging from consultants, to Academics through corporate business and software development. Your opinions matter, so please jump in a make your voice heard.

As much as I refrain from making any predictions for the New Year, I firmly believe we’ll see a few products make their mark during 2010.

Apart from the cloud seducing more users into giving up their IP to remote servers, I firmly believe the following tools shall become more notable and used by the forward thinking information manager.

The collage viewed below was used in a previous post to indicate software choices for the information manager, and due to the amount of views both here at hypershifters and my own blog I’ve used it again to make a point; but it does indeed show the range of tools that will deliver a few very pleasant and interesting surprises for the information manager during 2010.

In particular keep your discerning eyes on Mindsystems Amode, Mind mapper, ConceptDraw, NovaMind and the deserved leader of the pack Mindjet MindManager. The cloud is developing exponentially and I certainly see applications such as Comapping, Spinscape, Mindmeister, Webspiration and Crystal Mapping delivering more functionality for those of us who’ve had enough of desktop reliance.

Wallace Tait: Visualmapper
www.visualmapper.org

Mark Wogan

Hi Wallace

Very perceptive article and I think you're point about how long it takes for an idea to move from fringe to main stream is an extremely valid point and exemplifies the degree of effort needed to make new ideas 'stick'. However, while mind mapping is an extermely useful methodology for undertaking numerous information management tasks and processes it strikes me that one of the problems in getting it into the mainstream space has been its almost ubiquitous use as a general tool for everything that might fit into the 'visual mapping' space.

On the basis that a "man with a hammer sees everything as a nail", most of the people I talk to (well, those who have looked over your shoulder and have, at least, some understanding of mind, concept, network and argument mapping) automatically revert to seeing a mind mapping hammer as the most likely solution. Consequently as mind mapping is not always the most appropriate solution, potential users can be left feeling a bit underwhelmed by the eventual experience.

I think this is because the term 'mind mapping' has itself become the generic term used to define the whole subject area of visual mapping and communication. I know you have written previuosly about this and I think it is something we need to address. My own company www.crystalmapping.com provides a cloud app in this broad sector but its not mind mapping, but when I talk to people, thats ususally how they define it. That said, I must also admit that as I have not yet come up with a better description, I also revert to this overly generalised description.

On the subject of cloud versus desktop, my view is that the cloud will help to broaden the appeal of visual information management systems. There is a whole new debate here, but in very general terms I think that as new and mainly younger users start to take advantage of the generally free cloud apps that exsist, they'll help to shift what we do further into mainstream as they themselves move mainstream in their careers and lives.

We live in hope!
Hans Terhurne

Hi Wallace,
I've just send a mail to one XMind (visual mapping software) asking them to concentrate more on the added value for the user instead of 'the buttons'.
How much time/money can be saved, what extra possibilities are generated by using this kind of 'creativity software' and, yes Jerre, how much more fun is working using these kinds of tools!
Too often I experienced much more involvement during a meeting and also much more commitment for the next step in business processes using visual mapping techniques for meetings, process mapping and project management.
Have fun!
Hans
Wallace Tait

IMO the developers should do a much better job of defining what their software products actually do, and what they’re good for. Making a random visit to any of the mainstream developers’ websites is proof enough that they concentrate on their tool rather than the results that may be experienced. A sensible balance is needed.

We need to see a more concerted effort by the developers to reveal the methods and Mindset of their respective applications. More examples and videos’ would be helpful. But wait a minute; they already know this is needed to entice prospective users, yet they refrain from this approach for the most part.
One of the main developers is proud to intimate they have over 1.5 million users, yet they have no demographics to indicate the groupings of personal, academic and business use arenas.

The bottom line for any prospective user of the mainstream apps is this:
· Will this app do something productive for me?
· Can I save time and training by using this app?
· Will this app add more clout to my bottom line capabilities?

Of course there are more considerations, demands and expectations, but it is a reality check when potential users, who really don’t need to be trained to use the software, are told they are in need of training by unscrupulous consultants.

I am often asked to write about specific software capabilities; falling into the trap of being an unpaid sales person for a specific product is the caveat for many consultants and trainers.

My thread regarding software choices for the information manager is an example of how I personally approach this issue. I simply mention that, in my experience; the listed products are worth a second look, and then offer hyperlinks to their respective sites. That’s the limit to what I shall do for the developers (within reason).
Jerre

Dear Wallace,
Thank you and best wishes to you. I experienced the same as you with many collegues, clients and even my children. The thing I have learned is that you shouldn't talk about or evangelize (mind)mapping as an instrument but to just put yourselve in the position of your audiance and imagine and address the effect they are after (whether they are aware of the potential or not ;-) E.g.; save time, be more productive, be funnier, expand knowledge, get an overview or insight etc.).
This is now the backbone of the user tests of mapping software on hypershifters.com. Alexis van Dam and Hans Terhürne and others defined a structure taking the desired effects of different (common) working processes (brainstorming, meeting management, etc.) as a starting point. In many reviews you'll find that the author describes the different improved and or new functions of the mapping software.
So which tools do you believe will add quality to our lives and in which way and why exactly do you believe this?
Looking forward to an interesting discussion...
All the best for all you out there!
Jerre.