Mind maps are a great way to organize information, whether you’re brainstorming or creating a project plan. The mind map format is simple and intuitive, and it helps you visualize ideas and connections, which makes it easier for your brain to process and understand.
In this guide, we’ll share some of the best mind mapping tools for project management, so you can easily create visual schedules and workflows using different views and styles.
What is a Mind Map?
A mind map is an alternative way of organizing your thoughts. It’s based on the idea that people think in images rather than linear steps or lists, so it’s an intuitive tool for capturing ideas in their natural order.
Each branch represents a different idea or thought connected by lines to other branches. Branches can also have smaller branches on them that represent subtopics within those topics, which are called sub-branches or sub-sub-branches and so on.
What is Mind Mapping Software?
Mind mapping software is a type of productivity tool that allows you to create mind maps on your desktop computer or mobile device. These tools can help you organize your thoughts and ideas as well as share them with others in various formats such as PDFs or presentations. They also allow you to search for information within the document, so it’s easy to find when needed later on.
Mind Mapping Tools for Project Management
MindMeister
MindMeister is a cloud-based mind mapping software that lets you create, share, and collaborate on mind maps online. Its biggest strength is its robust feature set.
MindMeister offers all of the basic features you’d expect from a mind mapping app: drag-and-drop functionality, images, notes, lists, and more. It also lets users collaborate on maps through its built-in commenting system as well as attach files and documents to specific nodes in their map.
MindMeister’s most popular feature is its compatibility with other productivity apps such as Trello or Basecamp. This allows users to link their MindMeister account with these apps and use them together in a seamless manner.
The free version allows you to create up to five mind maps and share them with others in the public domain. You can also subscribe to their premium plan which gives you unlimited access to all features, including the ability to password-protect your maps.
Mindomo
Mindomo is a powerful mind mapping tool that can also be used for project management. It has all the features and capabilities you need to organize your thoughts, ideas, and plans.
Mindomo allows you to create mind maps in an intuitive environment, with a great variety of styles, shapes, and colors. You can also import files from different sources or export files in different formats (PDF).
Mindomo is not only a simple mind map creator; it also lets you collaborate with other team members using real-time synchronous editing and commenting. This feature makes Mindomo a good choice for team projects where brainstorming sessions take place online.
Mindomo offers many useful features:
- Mind maps with an unlimited number of branches
- Automatic layout algorithms for better overview and usability
- Colored branches and labels to improve readability
- Integrates with Google Drive (Docs), Dropbox, OneDrive (SkyDrive), Box, Egnyte, Evernote, and others.
Mindomo offers users a free trial.
XMind
XMind is a mind mapping tool that can be used to visualize information in a way that is easy to understand. It’s the perfect tool for project managers who want to create and share complex diagrams with their teams. The software is available as an online app, desktop application, or mobile app.
XMind allows users to create maps and then add tasks, notes, and images. It also supports handwriting recognition and allows users to add links between tasks. This means it’s possible to add documents related to specific tasks, so they can be accessed easily while working on the project.
In addition, the app supports collaboration features, such as simultaneous editing of maps and real-time sharing of changes with other users through the cloud service or an API (application programming interface). There are no limits on the number of people who can work on a map at once or the number of maps that can be created in each account, which makes it ideal for large projects with many participants.
XMind includes many features that make it easy for users to keep track of where they are up to in their tasks without getting lost in unproductive activities such as searching through emails or trying to remember where you put something important last week (or even yesterday).
SimpleMind Pro
SimpleMind Pro is a mind mapping software that helps you visualize and organize your ideas, projects, and plans. It’s easy to use, yet powerful enough for the most complex projects.
SimpleMind Pro is available as a desktop application and as a web-based service. The desktop version offers more features than the web version. You can choose to buy the desktop application or use the free trial version of SimpleMind Pro.
If you decide to buy SimpleMind Pro, there are two subscription options available:
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- Monthly: At $19 per month, you can use it for one month at a time without any commitment or contract.
- Annually: At $149 per year, you can get access to all updates released 12 months from the purchase date.
About the Author:
E Reece works as a technology consultant with offshore software development company—TatvaSoft.com. Find more information about her company on LinkedIn.
