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Mind mapping is a useful and highly visual ideas-generation technique, which mirrors the way the human mind works. It was originally devised by Tony Buzan in the 1960s and has proved a popular method of idea generation from boardrooms to schools the world over ever since. Here we look at how to create your own mind maps, and give examples of where they can best be used.
How to Create a Mind Map
1. Take a blank piece of paper. In the center, write a word or words that represents the subject you want to work on, e.g. performance appraisal. You may even wish to draw a picture if it lends itself to your subject.
2. Think of main themes for your subject and show these coming out from the central theme with a description for each subject. These are known as Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs). Each of them will in turn stimulate you to think of more ideas. For a performance appraisal these BOIs might be: key responsibilities, successes, aspirations and development needs.
3. Use thinner lines to branch out from each of these themes, with as many different examples as you can think of. These are known as Associated Thoughts. You may find that some Associated Thoughts belong to more than one BOI, or are connected in some way. You can show this connection by linking them with a dotted line.
4. Make your mind map look as creative as you like by using color or illustrations.
