His work at www.informationtamers.com is fantastic; being IMO, the most extensive “FREE” wiki containing a database of information and knowledge of all things relating to the tools, methods and Mindset of Mind-Visual and Knowledge mapping/management.  Roy is the go to guy of Visual mapping.

It is my pleasure to make Roy’s guest post available to you here at Hypershifters and also at Visualmapper.

Wallace Tait: Visualmapper

This is a guest post from Roy Grubb.

Visual thinking is slowly gaining recognition and traction. Slooowly. Much too slowly. Those of us who have used visual methods for decades, know the scope, depth and sheer fun of the many techniques and we know the advantages missed by the many people who aren’t using them yet.

One of the reasons? The words we use: Mind maps, visual maps, information maps, mindscapes, concept maps, idea maps, visual thinking – there isn’t one that really fits all needs, though I’ve seen a few collaborative attempts to run one down.

Want another reason for slow adoption? The mapping fundamentalists who boldly assert that theirs is the only form that’s worth considering.

There’s a broad landscape of visual methods and mapping styles — and I believe nearly all have value in the right circumstances.

Click the above image to see the map in Mindjet’s Player (Flash). Other versions available: Full-size PNG image – Mindjet’s Player (PDF – Acrobat only) – MindManager .mmap file.

So I decided to map out that landscape, challenge some of the myth-makers and set up some pointers of where to go for more information. There’s a lot more to visual thinking than you’ll find here, but this post is just about maps, because they are powerful tools.

For details you’ll have to go to WikIT , the wiki dedicated to all forms of information mapping with a visual slant. This is accessible to all, no subscription needed, no long sales page, not even a request for your email address. That’s because the purpose of WikIT is to make knowledge of mapping techniques available to as many people as possible, without reservation.

In this post, I’ve added links to specific pieces there so that you can explore for more detail, but to see its full scope you can peek at the contents list.

Mind mapping
Mind mapping seems like good place to start, because it’s one of the better known. Tony Buzan claims to have named them first. He has published rules that he says a map should follow before it can be called a mind map.

But maps that don’t fit the Buzan formula are now often called “mind maps”. Maybe they have straight lines, use boxes or bubbles for nodes, have a lot of text in each box, or do not use color or images. Spider diagrams, idea maps, bubble charts and others are widely referred to as mind maps. Buzan-qualified instructors are often jump in with tweets or comments on blogs to say that these are not mind maps. Too late: The term is out in the wild (btw although ‘Mind Maps’ is indeed a registered trademark, it applies only to training courses).

It is useful to be able to distinguish the types of mind maps. WikIT, the mapping wiki, makes the distinction by referring to “Buzan mind maps” and “common mind maps”.

What identifies all of these is that they start with a main topic and everything hangs off that in a hierarchy. Usually, the main topic is in the center.

Mind maps are good, amongst other uses, for breaking a topic into its parts – those parts into smaller ones and so on. Say you have an idea for a new business. You put a working name for the business in the center of a large sheet and you can quickly sketch in the services to be offered, radiating out around that. Against each service you can add items for needs, sources, differentiation from competitors, market research and niches to target, funding ideas, and costs.

The radial form makes it keep an overview and the focus on the center. It also makes it easy to make insertions at the right point. These are very appealing in comparison with a written list. Lists work well when planning is complete and the plan is being executed, but at the open-ended, thinking stage, an open diagram can help to bring out new thoughts. This is true for many people – it’s not guaranteed, but unless you have tried seriously, you may not know you’re missing an opportunity.
Mind maps are good for arranging information for learning. Again the hierarchical breakdown appears, this time for organizing notes and grouping related topics together. The mental process of organizing helps with understanding and remembering.

In a Buzan mind map, each node will comprise just one or two words. Many Buzan advocates say “only one”, but the examples that come with his own software (iMindMap) include examples with as many as five words.

The reason given for this rule is that writing a phrase can finish the thought while breaking the phrase into keywords and then looking for intermediate junctions can suggest other lines of thought and open up your thinking. In my experience it works very well in some cases. My argument with it is that it is presented by some of the gurus as the only way to make mind maps.

Here is an example of the benefits of bypassing the guideline in very different circumstances taken from a mind map summarizing the basic commands for editing Wikipedia. At the third level and beyond, substantial editing guidelines are given. Breaking these into single words would get in the way for readers trying to use this is a quick reference source.

For more about mind maps: WikIT has What is a mind map? / Buzan mind maps / Buzan’s mind map guidelines in practical use / Common mind maps / Large mind maps and more.

I use mind maps of all types and find them stimulating to use. I had a great time making the mind map “Mapping: So many options” that was the starting point for this article.

Concept mapping
Then there are concept maps. These describe relationships between things – ideas, abstract concepts, places, substances or names of a material object.

If you want to be sure you understand a subject, or have a student prove to you that she has a grasp of a topic, they do a great job. And they have been widely accepted in the field of knowledge management, where groups work together to create knowledge on concept maps.

Defining characteristics:

• Concept maps sometimes start with a “focus question” which tells you what the concept map is about – the question it was made to answer;
• The main subject is usually at the top;
• Nodes are boxes containing an idea, object name or concept;
• Associated nodes are connected by a line with a “linking phrase” between;
• Any node may be connected to any other node (it is a graph), so a concept map need not be limited to a tree topology.

If you want to organize files, notes and web shortcuts, allowing “any node may be connected to any other node” is particularly useful because you are not limited to placing a link under one parent. Multiple paths may lead to the same item and this reflects a basic reality of documents: They often relate to two or more topics.

The value of concept maps in demonstrating knowledge is that they are made up of propositions that may be verified. Each triplet of concept – linking phrase – concept can be extracted and discussed. So if a tutor found this on part of a student’s concept map: A node “Sydney”, connected to a node “Australia” by a linking phrase “is the capital of” she would know that the student had not mastered this aspect of the topic. The proposition can be read as “Sydney is the capital of Australia” and this mistake would show that a student had not grasped the difference between a financial center and a capital.

Concept maps are used in business to collect and record knowledge where subject experts discuss much more subtle propositions than the example just given.

For more about concept maps, WikIT has Concept maps, and Concept maps or mind maps? the choice, which are good starting points.

Skimming through more map types

Tree diagrams and organigrams (organization charts) are used in business to represent business functions and units and show the hierarchy of reporting. These are one of the most familiar visual forms. Tree diagrams on WikIT.

Mindscapes are unlike mind maps in several ways, but they share attributes like color, images, visual expression of ideas and organic or natural feel, all aimed at inspiring creative thinking. WikIT has an extensive and stimulating article by Nancy Marguilies, the noted proponent of Mindscapes.

Cluster maps are one of the early forms of graphic organizer used in schools and still work well for beginners. Using clusters of Post-It tags on the desk or wall allows for continuous change as the map develops, and can be drawn up as a mind map when the beginning mapper feels confident. Clustering on WikIT.

Visual thinking aids are used in teaching thinking in schools. A superb collection of these aids is at Exploratree, a website with 23 mind-jogger diagrams. Many of them will be useful to creatives and critical thinkers of all ages. More about visual thinking guides on WikIT.

Flowcharts, swimlane charts, control flow diagrams and other step-by-step diagrams are used to document and envision behavior, decisions and processes. These are often prepared in black and white, but purposeful use of color, shading and shadows can enliven them and improve their ability to communicate. Flowcharts on WikIT.

Southbeach notation is a visualization and extension of TRIZ in map form. It’s for problem solving, innovation and product improvement. The visual components of Southbeach notation help in analyzing details of a problem: What might be changed, the negative and positive aspects of the present situation and of the proposed changes, and the causes and effects of elements on one another. This is another whole post, though. The example is from Jangan Dabla and here is Southbeach notation on WikIT.

Annular maps maintain a strong focus on the central subject. In concentric rings around that, subsidiary thoughts or goals are arranged. Annular maps on WikIT.

Isomaps If you have time, patience and the skill, you may want to try these technically-advanced isometric projection maps developed by Arnaud Velten. As far as I know there is no application developed to make these, you’d have to use image manipulation software.

Why map?

Thinking, learning, organizing, problem solving, presenting, analyzing. planning, managing, creating, innovating, … there’s no end to ways of using these maps. WikIT has an article on this – “Uses of information maps”.

and Paul Forman (Mindmapinspiration) has an entertaining list (yes, a list) of 100 reasons to mind map. He uses “mind map” in the Buzan sense. The tragedy is that few appreciate just how many uses there are.

How should you make the map?
The options are hand-drawn maps, computer-based maps and maps made on smart-phones. Oh, and Post-It tags (see Cluster maps above).

I started back in the 1970s when making maps by hand was the only way – there was no software for mind maps then. My experience has been that hand-drawn maps are better for personal creativity, reinforcing memory, and if you have some artistic talent, for inspiring others. They are limited when the map is expanding rapidly, or has changed a lot over time, but the flexibility of layout is enviable when compared with most mind mapping software.

Map changes and expansion are not always a problem, because re-drawing a map that has become too big for its paper, or too messy, can bring out new ideas.

If you are an artist of limited ability your strained drawings and messy writing may be inhibiting if you’re working in front of others. Working with a projected computer mind map may then be quicker and more comfortable.

Making maps on a computer is good when the map will expand and change continuously. It is better for readability, and allows something that is impossible with hand-drawn maps: Organizing attachments, notes, computer files and website links. Images are easy to find and add as well.
Organizing your thoughts on the computer gives you more freedom to move sections round as the thinking develops.

Computer based maps may limit your ability to express yourself when creativity is what you aim for. WikIT has a list with screenshots of free mapping software of many types.

Making maps on smart-phones has become popular because of the convenience of mapping anywhere – even standing up. The screen size makes it a limited, but most software allows exporting maps for later work on your computer. WikIT covers mobile mind mapping applications as well. So keep your options loose – a hand-drawn mind map, computer made one, smartphone, iPad, … your needs and resources will change from tasks to task and suit different purposes.

Some people even add hand-drawn map sections to computer made maps and find it useful.

Do read the comments here for a variety of opinions on hand-drawn maps.

Who is the map for? Who will make it?
Unless it’s just for you alone, the audience for your map will affect the tools you use, the style and type of map.

If it is for a scattered group, then one of the collaborative tools like bubbl.us or Mindmeister may be helpful. If it is for a group gathered together, your options will be wide open and you can consider the next section.

How long have you got to make it?
In a meeting, a flipchart or whiteboard may be quickest and it will certainly be best if you are able to own the room, work the meeting, and inspire the group with your brilliant sketches and color.

If you can type quickly and are familiar with the operation of specific software, then a laptop and projector will beat handwriting for speed and may be more suitable in a conservative business setting.

How will you make it exciting?
For memory, inspiration and creativity, color, pictures, sketches and icons make a real contribution. Just take a glance at Nancy Margulies Mindscapes to see that. Even if you are involved in a business planning or knowledge management project, icons and colors can make finding what you want on the map quicker, but do pre-arrange a coherent color plan and make sure everyone involved knows what the colors represent.

The One Map Guys
Some will try to persuade you that only one type of map works, and that type works best in all circumstances.

Sometimes this is because only the type of map they promote can be produced by something they have to sell.

Sometimes it’s because they have only ever used one type of map and never seriously explored others.

Often it’s because their background means that they view maps through a particular lens: They are in knowledge management and believe that only concept maps work. They give seminars on creativity and value colors and pictures highly without regard to other uses. They only use maps for business analysis and think colors and pictures are frivolous. They are project managers and believe that only maps made with software with added task information are useful. They are teachers and believe that only hand-drawn maps work.

Be skeptical of claims that “there’s only one way”!

Know the options, know what is best for which circumstances and be willing to try new methods. And happy mapping!
___________________________________________________________________________

Roy Grubb FBCS CITP MCMI is a management consultant specializing in the visual organization of information, knowledge, ideas, information systems and business projects. He founded G&A Management Consultants Ltd. http://www.gandanet.com.hk/ in Hong Kong in 1981 and has undertaken assignments in USA, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, France, Scandanavia, Ireland and Hong Kong. His company was responsible for the development of 3D Topicscape and Roy was project manager for this mapping-based information organizer.

He has used mind mapping and similar techniques since the 1970s in his business and his private life and is the principal editor of WikIT.

Contextualized knowledge mapping on steroids. Google just acquired MetaWeb, and this inclusion may just make Google the unbeatable 900 lb gorilla of search engines.

The implications are numerous, but I see a more contextual search within the web; based on generalizations that are attached to contextualized entities.

An ingenious idea indeed. We see this approach in Knowledge management products such as TopicScape and The Personal Brain that use relational data bases.

This is also a rather good model for Mind-Visual mapping practices. What do you think?

Wallace Tait: Visualmapper

Mindjet MindManager Emerges as Must-Have Software for Business Professionals

MindManager empowers business professionals to better capture, organize and communicate ideas, information and projects for business success

San Francisco – July 13, 2010 – Mindjet®, the leading provider of software and cloud-based applications for visually organizing and managing information and ideas, today announced the latest version of the company’s flagship software – Mindjet MindManager Version 9.  Used by millions of business professionals, MindManager delivers an inherently unique value to today’s workers – a flexible, intuitive way to visually brainstorm concepts, organize information, develop actionable strategies and project plans, and communicate results.

On a daily basis, business professionals combat masses of information coming from multiple sources – web, email, documents and meetings – with no means to connect the dots and see the big picture.  MindManager provides the destination that unifies diverse information allowing users to organize, act on and communicate their ideas and strategies.  With its enhanced integration with Microsoft® Office and fluid, drag-and-drop interface, this latest release cements MindManager as the go-to software for business professionals to quickly capture, organize and reorganize information to discover new avenues of thought and new solutions – and then put those solutions immediately into action and stay ahead of the competition.

“By organizing information visually, MindManager fits the way I work and serves as a destination for me to be more productive and effective,” says Corey Sherman, Principal at Sullivan, Cotter and Associates, Inc.  “If you can think, MindManager can help you work better.  And with an ever-expanding list of features and functionality, the new MindManager Version 9 solution has more ‘ooomph’ than ever!”

MindManager provides an intuitive visual framework for individuals and teams to capture information, analyze complex relationships and identify priorities.  Taking advantage of MindManager’s tight integration with Microsoft Outlook, Office, Project and SharePoint, Mindjet is helping users to accomplish more, ensure project success and improve communication by organizing and presenting information in a visual context.  In one clear, easily modified visual “map,” information from group thinking and the web can be combined with existing documents, files, meeting notes and emails.  This visual, flexible presentation of information improves business planning and fosters better collaboration among teams.

A main feature of MindManager is data import and integration with Microsoft Outlook, Office, Project and SharePoint, which enables users to take advantage of MindManager in the context of typical workflows. MindManager version 9 for Windows integrates with Microsoft Office 2010.

“Throughout history, a key leading factor in economic growth and wealth creation has centered around productivity and creativity to drive innovation,” said Scott Raskin, CEO of Mindjet.  “Our goal with MindManager Version 9 is to dramatically improve an organization’s creativity, project planning, performance and innovation.  Whether overloaded with information, solving a problem, working with a team on an important project, or wanting to communicate more effectively, MindManager Version 9 is simply a must–have.”

Key Features in MindManager version 9 for Windows:

• MindManager Slide Show – Enables users to create and present a series of slides based off map, tree and organizational chart layouts helping to align and organize information, ideas and strategies to be more productive.

• Microsoft Outlook Integration – Features more powerful integration with Microsoft Outlook tasks, emails, notes, calendar items and contacts and enables individuals to easily assign priorities, filter on priority, and drag and drop content for better organization.  Dynamic branches of Outlook tasks can be added to maps and visualized in MindManager’s integrated Gantt chart.

• Microsoft PowerPoint Integration – Users can now easily export content from MindManager into PowerPoint slides to accomplish more, faster.
• Microsoft Project Integration – Improved integration allows for exporting of plans created within MindManager as Microsoft Project files.
• Resource Utilization – To help ensure your plan’s success, users can better understand which resources are over or underutilized.

• Gantt Chart View– Individuals can view task and project plan timelines in MindManager’s integrated and synchronized Gantt chart. Updates can be made to maps by adjusting the Gantt chart or by making changes directly into a map.

MindManager version 9 for Windows will be generally available on August 10 in three languages: English, German and French, and can be purchased through Mindjet.com for $349.

Supporting Resources

• Hear what individuals and organizations have to say about Mindjet
• Follow Mindjet on Twitter to learn more: http://twitter.com/Mindjet
• Learn more about Mindjet on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mindjet
• See the post on MindManager version 9 announcement on our Dutch Chapter site.

Olin is a results-driven, technology sales and marketing professional with experience building market presence and success for emerging companies. He has demonstrated ability to drive strong and sustainable revenue growth in both domestic and international markets. Olin has for the last 3 years been the General Manager of CS Odessa in the Americas, an innovative developer of visual personal productivity products based in the Ukraine, whose responsibilities include sales, channel development and marketing for the Americas.

Prior to CS Odessa, Olin was responsible for sales at Mindjet for the Americas and Asia Pacific for nearly 5 years. Olin has had a number of senor sales, marketing and business development roles in companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 to start-up. Olin is also a frequent contributor to the CS Odessa company blog “CSO: The World of ConceptDraw Products” at http://mapthink.blogspot.com/ and can be reached at oreams@csodessa.com.  Wallace Tait: Visualmapper

The Human Side of Data

Mind mapping. Visual mapping. Business mapping. These are all information management strategies that have a bit of a relationship to one another. The primary focus behind each of them is to get something accomplished—create a process, make a plan. There are lots of tools that can help with this—each of which might present information in different graphical forms. Software applications that map out processes and plans using a radial format, though, have been getting lots of attention lately. Users say there’s something about them that seems to make it easier to think quickly, creatively, and strategically.

Visual information mapping applications can be used to do an endless variety of things: from managing new product releases or developing a testing process to planning a home remodel or writing a novel. But if I was to put my finger on the one general thing they do very well, I would say it is to organize human thinking in a visual format that‘s easy to grasp, and that puts the content into a hierarchical order that allows you to use and reuse the information to do your job more creatively and efficiently.

User testing versus lab testing:

I’ll be the first to agree that very little hard scientific evidence supports my contention about the value of radial placement of information or mind mapping. But there is lots of very positive user feedback. Three such comments in particular give me the confidence I need to market and sell this kind of software—which I’ve been doing successfully for the past ten years.

The first comment is one I hear a lot when I ask users if they’ve told other people about mindmapping: “Are you kidding? This is my secret advantage, my competitive edge. Why would I want to level the playing field?”

Then there is the blunt, but very human, observation from dedicated mind mappers that they don’t want to introduce the software into their organizations because “my company doesn’t deserve the benefits you get from mind mapping.”

And then there was the sort of compliment my wife permitted mind mapping tools. My wife is a huge auto racing fan – and of one team in particular. One evening I came home and told her I’d learned that a rival racing team had bought a copy of our mind mapping software and were probably going to use it to work through their race and preparation strategies. Unbeknownst to me, my wife bought a copy of our product and sent it, along with a note, to her team—explaining that she suggested they use it to plan smarter race strategies. But she never heard back from them. Maybe it’s just a coincidence that this same team has since had to merge and be reorganized. Maybe they never installed her gift.

A Short List of Criteria
With all of the visual mapping, mind mapping and business mapping solutions on the market, how do you know which one’s best suited to your needs? Based on my experience I have four suggestions for people considering different applications.

1)      The product has to be comfortable for you. Does it work the way you want it to work? Does the operation seem logical? Many products have two or three ways to accomplish the same goal. Is there a way that works for you?  Be wary of marketing spin. Trust your gut instincts.

2)      If you think you’ll need help, make sure you can get it from a human. Most companies say they provide “support.” Find out exactly what that means. For starters, see if you can get someone from the company to have a meaningful email or phone conversation with you about whether their product will meet your needs? Find out if the support you get before the sale resembles in any way, shape or form the support you can expect afterwards?

3)      Find out if the company is planning ahead. The product might meet my needs for the present time. But will it adapt to future requirements that may become standard? CS Odessa, for example, greatly extended ConceptDraw MINDMAP capability by integrating it into the ConceptDraw Office suite. This integration enables users to move seamlessly from project inception, to detailed planning, to comprehensive reporting and even to documentation. Our InGyre technology allows you to work the way you want to work, during every step of the process. Recently, CS Odessa has also introduced new collaborative technology based on Google Wave that enable groups of any size to work together in a shared, same-time edit mode to collect and organize the combined intelligence of the group.

4)      Finally, understand your total cost of ownership. What are you getting and what is it going to cost you? If 1, 2 and 3 are in place; then it is important to look at how much it’s going to cost you over time to use and maintain the application.

With so many choices on the market, it can be hard for someone to decide which product is right for them. Price is always an important consideration. The bottom line is to understand what you need in a product, compare alternatives against a clear—and short—list of criteria, and then make your best decision. Of course I always suggest you start looking here http://www.conceptdraw.com

Visual thinkers need to take a second look at current information management practices. We must challenge current thinking regarding the tools, techniques and Mindset regarding visual mapping.

Many new Information mapping software offerings have exploded onto the scene.  Some products may be around for a while to challenge the heavy weights, and many shall simply fall by the wayside.  There’s a trend in aggregating other graphical tools into these products, making them turnkey for process, system and project management.

These products have evolved into what I term Visual mapping (multiple formats).  This includes but is not limited to Mind/concept/flow/argument mapping.  There are many more formats covered under the visual mapping umbrella, such as project management formats. It’s not just about Mind maps as some would have us believe; surely we’ve moved way beyond the constraints of a single format?

Effective Information management is the unique attribute associated with the successful creation, management and exchange of data. Information is summative data which has to be contextualised to be relevant and useful for further processing into an intelligent knowledge data base.

Information has become a monetized commodity that is realized within organizations when they use the tools, techniques and mindset of visual mapping. Of course one size doesn’t fit all; but the point is to realise the potential for being unique in your use of these tools.

For the most part Mind mapping has not offered a solutions approach to information management, and this in one of the reasons why it has struggled to burst into the mainstream.  There are indeed new solution focused products available that are challenging, changing and improving our current information management practices. Of all the information portals I am aware of; Roy Grubb writes with the most intelligent and informative view of this field found at http://bit.ly/fxQHH

The specific techniques of Visual-knowledge mapping  used within your environment will (no doubt), over time, become standardised within your arena of use.  The mindset of Visual mapping is associated with the application of whole brained thinking.  Integrating linear/nonlinear management of data, information and knowledge data bases is in the application of the mindset.

What unique techniques do you employ that have made significant impacts upon your information management arena?  IMO; Integrating linear/nonlinear is now expected, even demanded by the users of Mind-Visual-Knowledge mapping products.  These users have evolved way past mere Mind mapping.  We can now utilize software products that offer flexible frameworks with multiple formats that supercharge our information management skills.

Wallace Tait: Visualmapper

“DON’T BELIEVE ALL YOU READ”

I was recently reading an article by Jim Giles, in the New Scientist [May 2010] called “Giving Life to a Lie”. In it he quotes a story written by an Australian Journalist, Piers Akerman for the Daily Telegraph (2006) where Akerman claimed that global warming was exaggerated. Now it was not that fact that caught my attention but rather the reference he attributed to John Houghton, a former chair to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was “unless we announce disasters no one will listen”.

This reference was picked up by a journalist in Canada followed later by an academic in Michigan. Giles goes on the say that today there at least three books, 100 blogs and 24,000 web pages that in some way cite Houghton’s original book published in 1994. The really interesting thing is that Houghton seems never to have uttered those words in his life and they certainly do not appear in that book!!

Perhaps Akerman made a genuine mistake, perhaps he intentionally manufactured the quote … I do not know and do not really care. However, my point is based on the thought that I wonder just how common is changing a lie or a misrepresentation into a “known fact”? How many of the statements which are taken for granted and quoted as “proof”, really have a firm basis?

I know I have jokingly said, when watching a somewhat dubious documentary on TV: “Well it must be true because it is in colour”. A silly statement certainly, but it is really based on the premise that many of us have a tendance to believe a fact if it is printed and from an apparently reputable source. A good example is Wikipedia, which many people use as a first source of reference these days. However, you should remember that this excellent online resource can be edited by just about any Tom, Dick or Harry. Certainly, I do know there are editorial controls, but Wikipedia contents cannot, in reality, be guaranteed as accurate.

The theme of the whole New Scientist issue was “Denial” in various forms. Only thing is clear that often people will simply deny an inconvenient fact (or truth) as a way of refuting a particular point of view rather that offering persuasive counter argument. A perfect example of this was Copernicus’s trial by the Catholic Church when he offered evidence that the earth revolved around the sun. The Church’s response was an absolute denial that this could be possible as it went against current teachings.

The point is that we should be careful when reading or writing blogs for two reasons:
1. Question if an assertion we read or make is founded in fact or just “parroted” because it has become “conventional wisdom”?
2. To avoid or be very wary of flat, unsupported denials as they can be a smokescreen for either a subtext or even pure ignorance

Perhaps an additional guideline would be to reserve comment for times when such comments makes a positive contribution to the discussion.

Some food for thought

As both Visualmapper and Hypershifters are concerned with visual thinking, information handling and associated topics, here are some points worth considering:

1. Do diagrams aid understanding?
2. Is a picture worth a thousand words?
3. How important is colour and curved lines in left & right cortex linking?
4. Are mind maps the best way to represent the majority of business information?
5. Is Cloud computing the way of the future?
6. You cannot beat face-to-face communication
Can you think of some statements or “facts” which we take for granted?

John England: MindSystems

Dan Prager CEO at Austhink jumped at the chance to present a good case for the use of bCisive.

Dan does software strategy, agile team leadership, design, architecture, and programming. Past experience includes research and development, commercial consulting on optimization and simulation, and teaching. Dan holds a PhD in mathematics, and practices and teaches martial arts. He also blogs, and his favorite t-shirt reads “No-one cares about your blog”.

bCisive Online is a web-based visual mapping tool from Austhink Software, aimed primarily at complex decision-making, individual and team problem-solving, presentation and facilitation.

If you are a mind-mapping afficionado, but have had trouble getting the rest of your team to work with mind-maps, bCisive Online offers an alternative path to visual thinking.  Our users have found that facilitating a meeting or problem-solving session is a great way to get buy-in from the group.

The modes of visual thinking supported in bCisive Online overlap with mind-mapping, but the visual and manipulatory conventions are a bit different. Here’s a short video illustrating the basic mechanics of map-building and editing.

Notably, bCisive Online allows multiple maps on a workspace, and makes playing with ideas in a bottom-up or top-down fashion (or any combination thereof) both practical and enjouyable.

For the more experienced user, advanced features include:

• Real-time collaboration over the internet, including one-click integrated Skype, remote virtual laser pointers for all participants, and disciplined passing around of “control” (the power to edit)
• A private portal for your team or organization: E.g. http://myorganization.bcisiveonline.com
• Easy export to PowerPoint

Best viewed in full screen, try zooming in and out, and hiding and showing branches and sub-branches.  Clicking on a non-map area of the workspace to pan around at high zoom levels.

bCisive Online is free to try, and available at reasonable rates on a subscription basis.

I’ve been developing, writing about and generally evangelizing about Crystal Mapping for a few years now. I’ve focused mainly on how it can be used in business to communicate organizational level vision and team objectives and how it can be used in education to help revision and learning. But one thing that consistently comes up in conversation, and one I’ve had in depth with Wallace Tait at visualmapper.org, is that people see crystal maps as a natural way of setting personal goals and creating their own life maps. With this in mind here’s my take on ‘life maps’ and ’self development maps’ using crystal mapping.

Below is an example of a Personal Dashboard created in crystal mapping

WANT TO VIEW AN INTERACTIVE EXAMPLE? CLICK HERE
Keep your eye on the left hand pane of the interactive map; this is where you’re offered a linear list of the contents of the interactive map!!!!

Among the many theories, teachings and techniques in the area of personal development there are two features which are common to all and critical to success:
• You have to know where you are going
• You have to know how you’re going to get there

The first point is pretty much a given in that it is vital that you know what you’re trying to achieve and where you want to get to. Otherwise how would you know if / when you’d arrived?

The second is a bit less clear cut because there are usually a number of ways you could get to the same point. However, the fact that you need a plan or a route to follow is not in doubt. All journeys need to be planned.

Just as you wouldn’t set out to climb Everest without knowing which route you were going to take, you wouldn’t (or shouldn’t at least) set out to achieve your life or career goals without a map.

Crystal Mapping helps you map your goals so you can see where you are going and how you’re going to get there.

We work on a simple process: Think it, Map it, See it, Do it

For most of us life is busy. We live at speed, grabbing coffee on the go, having a sandwich at our desk, making calls as we drive (hand’s free obviously). When we have ideas for things we’d like to do or changes we’d like to make we don’t write them down so we forget about them – sometimes for good. It’s important to think about what you want. So, go on think about it!

One of the problems people often find with all the different methods and techniques of self improvement and the vast library of literature that exists is how to remember the stuff which is relevant and how to bring it all together in a way that is personal to you. Well – the best way is to map it – so it’s crystal clear what you are trying to achieve!

Visualization is the key to success for most successful people and it takes place on two levels. On one level it is important to visualize our goals in our minds and to start to allow our subconscious mind to go to work on finding strategies to achieve them. Secondly you need see how you’re progressing. Your own crystal map personal dashboard lets you see it ; how you’re performing in achieving your life goals!

When you took a few moments to think about your goals you were doing nothing new. You probably didn’t need to think that hard before a few ideas at least popped into your head. That’s because these dreams have rattled around between your ears for quite a while. But now is the time to do something different. Just do it!

I just spoke with Kathleen Church the  Media Relations Liaison for Think Buzan. She informed me that Tony Buzan, the inventor of Mind Mapping is coming to America. Kathleen is a professional Mind mapper and facilitator with a bent towards Academic use of the tools, methods and Mindset of traditional Buzan Mind mapping.  I was enthused by her passion for Mind mapping, and the fact that she convinced me to post this article about Tony Buzan coming to America for three distinct appearances at Minneapolis, San Francisco and New York respectively.

Please read the following Press Release and pass on to your friends, colleagues and associates.  This may indeed be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of us to be in the presence and learn from the master and originator of Mind mapping.

PRESS RELEASE

Tony Buzan brings his mind mapping technique for improving decision making, creativity, and communications skills to America.

Bestselling author, lecturer, consultant to tour us cities

In a career that has spanned decades, Tony Buzan has helped millions around the world to improve their professional and personal lives by improving decision making, unlocking their creativity and enhancing their memory skills with Mind Mapping techniques.

Now Tony is bringing his program to the United States.

A best selling author and consultant to major international corporations, Tony will host workshops and seminars in New York, Minneapolis and San Francisco May 3 to 18, where he will describe The ThinkBuzan System.

Course attendees will learn how to work creatively, generate innovative new ideas, deliver dynamic and engaging presentations, improve their organization and planning skills, and enhance their training repertoires with a system that has been developed over 40 years of experience.

Mind Maps, which Tony invented in the 1970s, are now used by over 250 million people worldwide.  He is a consultant for businesses and government organizations all over the world, including IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Walt Disney, Boeing, BP, HSBC, and the BBC.

The royal families of Bahrain and Liechtenstein and global media personalities and prominent world figures have benefited from using his techniques.

After a presentation by Tony at HSBC’s headquarters, Anne Ewing, the bank’s Head of Learning & Development, said that “he held the audience spellbound as he challenged, confronted and tested our collective assumptions about how adults learn.  His complete mastery of his subject shone through… He is an extraordinary teacher and communicator”.

Leon Sadler, vice president for professional services at FICO, described the true power of Tony’s process: “I’ve relied on Mind Maps in my work with the world’s premier technical knowledge-based organizations, including Accenture, IBM and now FICO, a leader in analytics and decision management. I have passed on my enthusiasm to my co-workers and kids, and enjoy watching a new generation of Mind Mappers develop.”

In 2008 Tony received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Creativity Association (ACA).  Forbes Magazine has named Tony one of five top international speakers, along with Mikhail Gorbachev, Henry Kissinger and Margaret Thatcher, and reported that “Buzan shows corporate executives how to hot wire their creative energies.”

He has authored or co-authored over 100 books on the brain, which have been translated into 33 languages and published in over 150 countries.  During the US tours, his workshops and seminars will be co-hosted by Chris Griffiths, ThinkBuzan’s CEO and author of ‘Mind Maps for Business’.

The ThinkBuzan System is built around a number of cutting edge techniques that address key areas such as; working creatively to generate new ideas and innovative solutions, combating information overload, dealing easily with an overwhelming workload, making correct decisions quickly, and thinking strategically and setting goals to boost personal and business development.

Tony’s US Tour events are an ideal opportunity for all executives, consultants, trainers and managers, anyone working within education, marketing and PR, or human resources and development to sharpen their professional skills.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT:

• Tony Buzan: http://www.thinkbuzan.com/uk/company/about/tony-buzan
• ThinkBuzan Ltd: http://www.thinkbuzan.com/uk/company/about
• The ThinkBuzan System & The US Tour: http://www.thinkbuzan.com/uk/services/training/usa2010
• Kathleen Church Media Relations Liaison kchurch@thinkbuzan.com 1-800-961-4582

Wallace Tait: Visualmapper
www.visualmapper.org

Just completed reading Mark Wogan’s excellent publication named Crystal mapping; The BIGGER Picture. The book gave me quite a few “AHA” moments, but I want to focus on one that’s impacted me.

IT’S THE POWER OF 3

A really good case was made for limiting the foundation of how we may best initially create our Visual maps. The power of three refers to being confined to the core, first level and second information levels. And looking further at the structure of Crystal mapping, I agree with mark’s finding; here’s why.

Mark states; “the number three wasn’t selected based on any magic number theory, urban myth or mystical quality but on its practical real world ability to present information in a simple context”.

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel the 19th-century philosopher put forward a three tiered evolution of thought from thesis to synthesis via antithesis in aid of the pursuit of logic. And in language and grammar; three elements are needed to form a simple proposition; a subject, a predicate and a copula.

Three keeps on popping up as if it is some kind of mystical adage of getting your point across. I even find myself using the three elements stated above to get my point across most of the time. I state the Visual mapping arena is made up of three arenas; personal, academic and business. I could also state the personal has 3 sub arenas of productivity, motivation and communication, and that academia has 3 sub arenas of school, college and university, and further define business to have 3 sub arenas of service, industry and corporate. OK, I’ve just blabbed on about 3, three, III; but it does feel so comfortable to restrict to three elements, and from that point onwards to express sub associations.

So, it does appear three seems to offer something, at least anecdotally, in support of qualities as a communication method.

7 (+ or – 2) is also thought of as being a magic number relating to communication based on George Miller’s work in his 1956 paper The Magical Number seven, plus or Minus Two: Some Limits on Our Capacity for Processing Information.

There has however been a great deal of misunderstanding of what was meant regarding the use of seven in communication. Many have taken 7 as the standard number of units for communicating anything.

7 points on a slide, 7 words to a line, 7 paragraphs on a page; using 7 in such a format seems to be taking things too far and doesn’t seem to be what Miller meant.

George Miller states 7 (+ or – 2) was a limit “for the discrimination of uni dimensional stimuli (pitches, loudness, brightness, etc.) and also a limit for immediate recall, none of which has anything to do with the capacity to comprehend printed text”. According to Edward Tufte a deeper meaning of Miller’s work is “to suggest strategies, such as placing information within a context that extend the reach of memory beyond tiny clumps of data” http://www.edwardtufte.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=0000U6&topic_id=1

Using three is a convenient and practical strategy to assist simple context. Putting information in context answers the following questions
• What is the point being made?
• Why is it important?
• How does it relate to me?

Delivering information in such a way enables authors and recipients to create, manage and exchange information processes quickly and easily. By adopting such an approach; the creative processes enable a bigger picture.

Another unit of three in context asks who where, and when?
• Who is responsible for it?
• Where is it to be found?
• When will it be done?

Setting organizational targets we have another contextual threesome, where objectives are communicated relating to responsibilities such as:
• What is my target?
• How does this fit in with my immediate superior’s target?
• How does this fit in with my immediate subordinate’s target?

By managing information within a simple power of 3 contexts; instant understanding is captured.

The power of 3 is experienced in and through using Crystal Mapping. It works by limiting information display to three levels within the visual workspace, presenting information initially within the simplest of contexts. Understanding is further built upon, by continuing to add more levels, while retaining the graphical display of information within units of three.

It is essential to make sure that wherever you are in the organization structure, you and your team are aware of the organizational objectives. To grasp the bigger picture context you need to see how objectives fit into the overall organizational structure.

Crystal Mapping always starts with the purpose at the core or centre of the map it is easy to always see how your ‘piece of the pie’ fits in with overall information objectives.

Mark Wogan believes the best way to achieve success is to make sure everyone understands the overriding mission or plan and then to let them get on with it. The Crystal mapping power of three structures enables clarity, concept in an unambiguous visual format.

So; I encourage you to grab your copy of Mark Wogan’s publication and experience your very own AHA moments. The product is developing at an agile rate, and it’s certainly going to evolve into a very formidable information management app for the forward thinking Information manager.

Here’s a youtube video of getting started with Crystal Mapping:

Wallace Tait: Visualmapper
www.visualmapper.org