Mindjet is both a creation tool and a collaboration environment, especially within Mindjet Connect, the online version for mind mapping. I like to use mind maps to facilitate meetings and brainstorm. It helps to refine ideas and keeps everything visual. For a group, the interrelationships between ideas are clearly captured in real-time. We can all work from one common and clear capture of ideas.
At some point, when the meeting is done or while it is still going on, you will want to collaborate. This invites others to:
- Review agreements and ideas
- Augment any original thoughts later
- Work simultaneously to grow a map
Each of these scenarios works out per the collaboration that makes sense. Typically, it is spontaneous and the flexibility in Mindjet affords you the opportunity to have people engage the discussion.
How I Collaborate With Mindjet
Here are some of the steps I take to collaborate using Mindjet:
- Summarizing Discussion. After a meeting in which I captured ideas, agreements and action, I will post an action list. Then I will share out access in Mindjet Connect. For a user outside of my team, they get a guest access login to work with the map either read-only or editing based on their role in the discussion. For an insider, I can simply share the map or folder directly.
- Start A Discussion. I may also open up the beginning of some ideas and ask for other users to come in and add their thoughts with further child nodes and branches. I do the framing of the central thought and invite refinement.
- Email a copy. If there are recipients that just need a static shot, I will either save a pdf version of the map as long as it is not too large. It is easy and convenient, but not interactive.
- Mindjet file format. Sometimes, to help someone get started in Mindjet as well, I will save a local copy of the map and share it out via Google Drive or Dropbox. The document is shared and controlled as well as monitored for visitors access. The user is prompted to download a desktop version of the software.
A mind map is just the start. Moving people to buy-in, or alignment, then action is always the goal. Collaboration and the process of sharing out your maps needs to be fluid and convenient. Assess each project or discussion and use the various means mentioned above to lead the discussion and thought process.
What do you think?