A quick question …how do you go about starting a project plan?
Getting the myriad of information into some form of comprehensive plan can seem like a bit of mountain to climb at first. A perfect solution to jump start your project plans is the use of software tools incorporating the powerful Mind Mapping process. I have now used mind mapping software for the last eight years, such as MindGenius and Open Mind and cannot imagine project planning without them!
The Mind Mapping technique pioneered by Tony and Barry Buzan has becoming increasingly popular. It is particularly suitable for business because it helps you organise complex information which in turn inspires the creation of more ideas and concepts. Once any information is captured in Mind Map form then it also tends to stick in your memory because of the way that you intuitively visualise the map in your mind’s eye. These attributes have lead to the widespread adoption of Mind Mapping for ideas generation, organisation and note taking.
The Mind Mapping Book by Tony Buzan demonstrates how to create Mind Maps and gives many examples of beautiful maps that have been created for a variety of different applications. It is no surprise that the content of these maps should be strongly etched in your memory after the huge artistic effort that has been expended during the map’s creation.
However, what about Mind Maps for mere mortals with little artistic ability or for that matter time! – Cue software programs that enables you to create Mind Maps at breakneck speed and with no artistic talent. More and more executives are discovering how useful it can be.
Mind mapping is about getting information into your head in a way that makes it stick. It allows you to work smarter, quicker and cheaper. You can get stuff out of your head on demand. It’s a way ofextracting information and then recognising it and using it in a way which allows you to understand and communicate better.
The majority of mind mapping packages integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Office and are a boon for project managers. The picture above shows the results of a quick fire workpackage brainstorm with members of the project team. The project’s central theme is represented in the middle of the map and then ideas radiate outwards by association. Don’t worry about mistakes or ideas going to the wrong place, it’s easy to sort out afterwards with the drag and drop interface.
Next you can view your Project Mind Map as a work breakdown chart by a single click. Now consider project risk and augment the chart with additional activities to properly manage the risk.
When you are satisfied with the work breakdown, then start adding resources and timing to the activities straight from your MS Outlook address book or your company directory or send activities to Outlook as To-do items. Another button click and the entire map is transferred to MS Project where it can be viewed as a network diagram or a gantt chart.
Likewise the map can be transferred to MS Word or Powerpoint for documentation and presentation.
So if you haven’t already tried out the many benefits of Mind Mapping software especially in relation to project planning, go online today and try one of the many trial Mind Mapping software packages out there and let me know what you think!