Nick Duffill has an interesting approach to analyse if software mapping applications can add value to your organisation.
Beyond Crayons: How does mapping software create value inside organisations?
“Ask yourself: "What core processes are not working very well today because we struggle to describe and communicate fundamental concepts in a consistent and engaging way?"”
I use MindManager for information management and documentation more than collaboration. In fact I usually share maps as exported conventional format documents such as Email, Word, or PowerPoint. The reason is that when people see my source maps I invariably get these reactions;
- People don’t understand how to read the map format unless previously exposed to mind mapping .
- Even then maps are not regarded as a “real” or “professional” documents.
- Maps exported to .doc are highly regarded as professional documents (thanks to MindManager’s great Word export formating)
Does business expect conventional text formatted documents because typewriters, later word processors, are the established authoring tools? Graphic information is accepted for some types of documentation, think of spreadsheet charts, but people struggle when first confronted with a graphic map format simply because it is different. I’ve found the toughest part of introducing mapping to your workplace as a documentation tool is getting people to appreciate that “spider-web” I play with is a document!
