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 us 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.
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 us 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, and many many others. I've also taught over 17,000 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.
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Jamie is committed to guiding individuals and organizations towards overcoming barriers to achieving success.
Jamie was born and raised in Fort Wayne,...
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