Visual Planning (or Mind Mapping) was a term made popular by Tony Buzan. Google 'Tony Buzan' and you will find partly what you need to know about mind mapping. True mind mapping in a PRINCE2 or AGILE context is another exercise however in order to understand the true benefit of using mind mapping in any project management environment.
Visual Planning is a core element of the solution suite brought to you by visualPRINCE.
Visual planning existed long before it was made commercially popular. As a junior school pupil you would remember that much of your memories come from recalling that the subject of a "dog" became imprinted upon the mind as a result of the picture thrust upon you by the teacher. Yes, a picture of a dog. And so it followed.
Yes, a picture of a dog that "worked" so well in years gone by. Instead factual cognitive recollection was, in the main, a result of memorising information verbatim.
The "devolution" to three dimensional pictures and visual representation in the current day was no mistake. In fact it serves as a backdrop to understanding how present day mind mapping products work. Mind Mapping or visual planning provides a 'whole brain sensory perception' in respect of the recollection of topics, conversations, or project details.
Simply put, visual memory serves a distinct purpose in today's commercial world particularly, when it comes to the need to remember a wide variety of facts with a high degree of accuracy whilst also concisely presenting the performance of a programme.
There are many papers on present day mind mapping, and many organisations are beginning to introduce an increasingly wide range of mind management tools and visual task planning techniques.
Upon conclusion, the engagement of mind management is one that must meet the business needs of the organisation. It (mind management) suits itself perfectly for collaboration and project management but serves little purpose if restricted to independent areas of corporate focus.
Once understood at such a level, the benefits (which are potentially huge) can be realised at each level downstream with the clear focus of defining the benefits previously un-imaginable at a cost centre level.
Personal papers are available on the subject of mind mapping and particularly visual planning techniques in the context of project management. Please contact visualPRINCE Pty Ltd to request a detailed visual planning and earned value analysis pack (PDF format) using the Contact Form.
