Sweet Map O’ Mind: Mind Mapping for Beginners
Chapstick. Comfortable shoes. Buffet food. Suitcases with ample reserved space for free stuff... These are just some of the things that might not necessarily be emphasized as much this year as Autodesk University 2020 is going virtual!
One thing that I know certainly will not be different this year is the plethora of learning resources available to all attendees of the conference. This will be my sixth time attending the conference, and each year feels like attempting to drink from a firehose. I love it, really, I do. But it is so much information to take in all at once!
I have tried taking notes on paper... I have tried typing notes on a laptop... I have tried taking pictures and videos... I have tried saving handouts...
All these things were my attempts at capturing everything being thrown at me at the Autodesk University conferences. For the CAD and BIM management role I have had for years, it is simply not enough to absorb the information; you need to plan training and education action items for ongoing learning. How on earth can you take in so much information, filter it to fit the needs, and ultimately turn insight into action?
Well, I am here to show you how to build and use your own mind map that can help you do exactly that!
What is a Mind Map and What are the Benefits?
To put it simply, a mind map is a non-linear way to visually capture ideas around a central theme or topic. Where long detailed documents accompanied by endless disconnected note scribbles might strike fear, mind maps are a more intuitive and flexible way to display how ideas relate and connect to others in all sorts of areas.
Not only that, according to an article put together by the creators of MindMeister mind mapping software, there are several benefits backed by research. Here are some of them that I have personally experienced:
- Mind mapping helps make complex issues easier to understand because of the connected links and clarity from laying everything out. (Frey, 2017, as cited in Greene, 2020). I have experienced this myself because my CAD/BIM management role for years included a lot of project management and strategic planning for initiatives such as software deployments and new product development. Mind mapping helps me understand issues on a systems level to help me holistically solve problems. I have written about this in the July 2019 issue of AUGIWORLD magazine for those interested in learning more.
- Mind mapping helps with creativity because of the ease of getting ideas “onto paper” and connecting to other ideas as quickly as possible (Dykeman, 2019, as cited in Green, 2020). As I am sure many can relate, my mind can often go in many different directions. Sometimes it can be incredibly overwhelming. By getting everything into something like a mind map, effectively called a “brain dump,” I do not have to feel like I somehow must remember everything at once. This allows for clarity and bringing in more ideas to connect to the existing ones. It should be no surprise then that people might use mind maps for creatively planning projects and fostering means for innovation.
- Mind mapping helps with memorization and retention due to its visual nature. The idea of needing to recall information quickly is not a brand-new concept. The Greeks and Romans used visualization techniques to do exactly that (Zielinski, 2014, as cited in Greene, 2020). Mind mapping is similar in its technique because the diagrams can be stored much more easily compared to other representational formats (Davies, 2011, as cited in Greene, 2020). I have used mind maps for gathering information from trainings, documenting stores of knowledge, and more. I feel that I can personally recall the information a lot better due to remembering where it is on a map as opposed to having it in a large typed up linear document or countless notes that sometimes just end up getting forgotten about.'
- Mind mapping in a software improves your productivity due to the ease and flexibility of adding and moving around information. It is incredibly easy to drag and drop, hit Tab to start new nodes, etc. This ease of use allows for great productivity not only from using a dedicated software but also in seeing clarity in your thinking as you go. According to Chuck Frey’s mind mapping survey, “experts of mind mapping software say it saves them an average of 7 hours per week – the equivalent of almost a full day of work.” (Frey, 2017). In my previous role, I saw productivity increases from copying nodes for a repeatable framework, such as what I used to deploy software updates.
- Mind mapping enables “meaningful learning” where new knowledge can be linked to existing knowledge. The actual activity of mapping the different thoughts “forces” the learner to find connections between otherwise separate thoughts that may have been known beforehand (Hay, Kinchin, & Lygo-Baker, 2008, as cited in Greene, 2020). At a conference such as Autodesk University, there are many opportunities to learn about any topic of your choice, so a mind map could certainly help to connect insights from different classes and conversations to try out a new workflow that might work well for your needs. In my case, I used mind maps in an effort to help move an office onto the use of Revit.
All of that said, mind maps could be your ticket to achieving more “aha!” moments and not feeling like you somehow must keep all the information in your head. At an event like Autodesk University, this could be a fantastic tool for building your own professional development and training plan. Best of all, mind mapping can be done with free tools and is easy to learn. Sound good? Read on!
Figure 1 shows the basic layout of a mind map.
Main Topic with Ideas and Sub-Ideas
The main idea is that you start with a central topic in the center and then get more and more detailed as things “radiate” or branch away from the center. There really are no “rules” with this, but there are general guidelines I have seen for having success in using mind maps.
Mind Mapping Guidelines
1) Try to keep thoughts short and to the point. One of the main reasons that mind maps can reduce the feeling of being overwhelmed and feel more engaging is that they can be super easy to scan. It is possible to do this if you try to keep things short in any idea and sub-idea. If there is a long definition of something, I might be more inclined to put this within hover text, not within a node itself. In addition to this, supplemental information such as links, attachments, and pictures can help create a wonderful resource for professional development and training if you or others would like to explore the map further.
2) Experiment with Layouts to Best Display your Map. Sometimes I have a ton of sub-ideas in a mind map. In a “radiating” mind map layout, this could look very “heavy” and a little hard to navigate. I find the most success in a radiating layout by having relatively, evenly distributed content in the form of ideas, sub-ideas, and sub-sub-ideas. That’s basically the mind map equivalent of sticking to six bullet points per PowerPoint slide to keep things easy on the eyes.
Thankfully, there are different mind map layouts that can assist with this if you have a ton of information that you can’t help but display in such a way. I find that the “organizational chart” layout seems to work better for topics with tons of “sub-ideas.” A good example for this layout might be in listing a bunch of supplemental resources or classes from conferences that cover the same topic, as shown in Figure 2.
Organizational Layout
3) Build Interactivity for Ongoing Use. A common theme I see with endeavors like this is that these wonderful things get built, but then they are a bit difficult to maintain or get actual action items out of them.
A way to combat this challenge is to build accountability and tasks into the map. This allows you to assign training topics or activities to people on your team. Progress, due dates, priorities, and automated email notifications can be set within the mind mapping software itself.
Here is an example of an onboarding virtual training plan that could be built using a mind map. The ideas can be placed on the map, and the action items can be assigned to specific people on your team. Note, that an actual training plan would be a lot more detailed and tailored to your specific needs.
Example Training Plan with Action Items
Concluding Thoughts
So, are you ready to create your own mind maps? Great. There are multiple ways to go about it. All the examples here are shown using MindMeister mind mapping software, which is free but offers some paid plans for additional features. Other options include Miro (Figure 4), XMind (Figure 5), as well as even the SmartArt options within Microsoft Word.
Example mind map shown in XMind mind mapping software
Example mind map shown in Miro mind mapping software
The same concepts apply no matter which route you go to suit your needs. My focus here is simply on how to get you up and running as soon as possible.*
There are all sorts of uses for mind maps, and I hope you will find it to be a fun tool that will help you capture information for your own professional development as well as form training plans for those at your firm. What I would recommend is practicing with creating some of your own mind maps prior to Autodesk University, so you can be prepared to capture notes in a new and exciting way. Happy mapping!
SOURCES, ADDITIONAL READING, & NOTES
*All images or references to specific software apps are simply for educational use and explanation of concepts.
Al-Jarf, R. (2009). Enhancing freshman students’ writing skills with a mind-mapping software. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Reima_Al-Jarf/publication/280712269_Enhancing_freshman_students'_writing_skills_with_a_mind-mapping_software/links/55c1e1e908aeb28645820a53/Enhancing-freshman-students-writing-skills-with-a-mind-mapping-software.pdf
Basu, S., & Saikat Basu (1538 Articles Published) Saikat Basu is the Deputy Editor for Internet. (2019, September 03). How to Build a Mind Map in Microsoft Word. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/build-mind-map-microsoft-word/
Create a SmartArt graphic. (n.d.). Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-smartart-graphic-fac94c93-500b-4a0a-97af-124040594842
Davies, M. (2011, September). (PDF) Concept Mapping, Mind Mapping and Argument Mapping: What are the Differences and Do They Matter? Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/225631292_Concept_Mapping_Mind_Mapping_and_Argument_Mapping_What_are_the_Differences_and_Do_They_Matter
Dykeman, M. (2019, March 04). Four Ways Mind Maps Make You More Creative - Mark Dykeman. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://lateralaction.com/articles/mind-maps/
[Example mind map shown in Miro mind mapping software]. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://miro.com/mind-map-software
[Example mind map shown in XMind mind mapping software]. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2020, from https://www.xmind.net/
Frey, C. (2017). 2017 Mind Mapping Software Trends Survey. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/wp-content/reports/2017_MMS_Trends_Survey_Report.pdf
Greene, J. (2020, April 09). 7 Research-Backed Benefits of Mind Mapping. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://www.mindmeister.com/blog/mind-mapping-benefits-who-needs-mind-maps/
Hay, D. B., Kinchin, I., & Lygo-Baker, S. (2008). Making Learning Visible: The Role of Concept Mapping in Higher Education. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263751666_Making_learning_visible_The_role_of_concept_mapping_in_higher_education
Zielinski, S. (2014, February 03). The Secrets of Sherlock's Mind Palace. Retrieved October 11, 2020, from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/secrets-sherlocks-mind-palace-180949567/
Jisell Howe, CDT has been in the construction and MEP industry for over ten years. With a background in CAD/BIM management in a hybrid design and manufacturing environment, Howe has presented work in multiple avenues such as AUGIWORLD magazine, Midwest University, Autodesk University, various BIM and CAD podcasts, and other avenues in the data science community. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Management as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree in Architectural Drafting & Estimating from Dunwoody College of Technology. Howe is the Senior BPM Platform Integration Manager for ENGworks Global, a highly regarded and internationally recognized VDC service and solutions provider (www.ENGworksGlobal.com). She can be reached for comments and questions at Jisell.Howe@ENGworksglobal.com.
