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Mind Mapping or Idea Mapping?

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Leveraging the Strengths of Similar Tools

So just what is the difference? Let me start with some history.

There have been many historical examples of the use of visual communication, but in 1270 AD Ramon Llull created a diagram called the "Tree of Knowledge". At that time they were called tree diagrams and look very similar to today's Idea Maps of Mind Maps.

In the late 1960's Tony Buzan coined them "mind maps" and defined how they must be created by the following set of laws (from The Mind Map Book):

1. Always use a central image.
2. Use images throughout you mind maps.
3. Use 3 or more colors per central image.
4. Use dimension in images.
5. Use synaesthesia.
6. Use variations of size of printing, line and image.
7. Use emphasis
8. Use association
9. Use arrows when you want to make connections within and across the branch pattern.
10. Use colors.
11. Use codes.
12. Be clear.
13. Use only one key word per line.
14. Print all words.
15. Print key words on lines.
16. Make line length equal to word length.
17. Connect lines to other lines.
18. Make the central lines thicker.
19. Make your boundaries embrace your branch outline.
20. Make your images as clear as possible.
21. Keep your paper placed horizontally in front of you.
22. Keep your printing a upright as possible.
23. Develop a personal style.
24. Use hierarchy.
25. Use numerical order.

Distinctions of Idea Mapping

I started teaching mind mapping and other learning tools in 1992 when I worked at EDS in their Leadership Development Organization. In 1998 my husband (who is an investment broker) and I started a company to house both of our endeavors.

To date I have been blessed to have clients like Boeing, BP, Ford, Franklin Templeton, L.L. Bean, Mayo Clinic, CPPIB, University of Warsaw in Poland, Takreer (Abu Dhabi Oil Company) and many many others. I've also taught over 19,000 professionals to date to create what I now call "Idea Maps" rather than mind maps.

Let me say upfront that idea mapping has a rich heritage in mind mapping and I use both. Because I've had so much experience teaching in corporations globally, the change in the term came out of that experience. Here are some of the reasons for the change:

1. Occasionally business people who were not familiar with the tool were put off by the name "mind mapping".
2. People were frustrated by the mind mapping laws and felt constrained by them.
3. People were naturally breaking the laws anyway.
4. I saw frequent times where keeping the laws did not make sense and was not in the best interest of the mapper's purpose.
5. During my workshops I started sharing when and where it made sense to break the laws.
6. Finally out of respect for the creator and users of mind mapping I had to call my hybrid something else -- and I believe that Idea Mapping perfectly describes this tool.

Idea Mapping and Mind Mapping in Amman, Jordan

The Idea Mapping Workshops in the Middle East are sponsored by Forward Training and Consulting. This 3-minute video features Jamie Nast and participants from the first class held in Amman in February 2010.
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Idea Mapping Workshops

This page shares all public Idea Mapping Workshops taught by Jamie Nast, author of Idea Mapping. Organizational workshops can be scheduled by contacting NastGroup, Inc. at 1-866-896-1024 or 1-734-207-5287 if calling from outside the USA.
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  • Reply
    miss_marple Aug 8, 2011 @ 5:19 am | delete
    I had never seen mapping until a few years ago when a student we had working for us showed me. It is such a logical way to organize, I don't know why schools didn't teach this sooner. I love the fact that as adults, you can show us a "new way to learn".
    A very useful topic and lens. Thank you
  • Reply
    Jamie_Nast Aug 8, 2011 @ 1:54 pm | delete
    Thank you for your kind words. I agree with you that too few schools teach this valuable tool. Maybe as it becomes more and more of a critical tool in business, it will force school systems to teach Idea Mapping.
  • Reply
    johndilbeck Aug 8, 2011 @ 4:49 am | delete
    Hi Jamie, I just discovered mind mapping a couple of weeks ago (where have I been??) and now I'm using it for all my brainstorming and organizing. After years of trying to fit ideas into spreadsheets and databases, I'm taking to mind mapping like a duck to water. I like how you call it idea mapping. All the best, JD.
  • Reply
    Jamie_Nast Aug 8, 2011 @ 1:59 pm | delete
    JD,

    You're not alone in just discovering this tool. It is still an unknown to many -- but that gives room for lots of opportunities to share with others. If you have an example you would like to share, I would be happy to put it on one of my blog postings and link back to you if you have a blog, website, LinkedIn, etc.
  • Reply
    Global_B2B May 20, 2009 @ 2:23 pm | delete
    Thanks for joining my B2B Marketplace Headquarters group. You have a great lens here! I gave you 5*. Hope you'll reciprocate it on my B2C Marketing lens.
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Jamie_Nast

Jamie is committed to guiding individuals and organizations towards overcoming barriers to achieving success. Jamie was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana... more »

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