Build Better Maps Faster with Map Parts

Here’s a time-saving feature in both MindManager for Windows and Mac that will help you build better maps with less time and effort.

It’s a feature called Map Parts. Today, I’ll show you how to use it with MindManager 8 for Windows. Tomorrow, I’ll explore the same with MindManager 7 for Mac.
 

Why Use Map Parts?

Map Parts allow you to save a map branch as a template that you can reuse one or more times within a map. If you’d like to apply a consistent approach to mapping, this is for you! Here are a few ways you can start applying map parts:

• Project Questions: Every time you start a new project, you may want to ask a set of key questions (e.g. Who are the key stakeholders, How will we measure success, When is it due, How does this align with my objectives, etc…)
• Checklists: As I write the Mindjet blog, I leverage a consistent process that walks me through researching, writing, posting and promoting the blog. These steps can be saved as a map part and I can step through them systematically to ensure a consistent process.  
• Problem Solving: Do you have a favorite approach to solving problems? For instance, the other day I shared a map with an approach called PrOACT. You could save this approach as a map part and apply it where ever and whenever it is appropriate. No need to open up a new map. If someone mentions an issue in a meeting, you can step through the approach right in the map that you’re working on.
• Brainstorming: Highlight a brainstorming process to guide teams through the innovation process. For instance, use specialized map parts like SCAMPER to generate ideas for product innovation.
• Meeting Notes: Want to keep all your project’s meeting notes in one place? No problem, create a meeting branch to record attendance, objectives, notes, and action items.
• Discovery Questions: In a client meeting and need to explore their business needs? Record all of your key questions in a map part and ask away. Whether you’re presenting the map or using it privately for reference, make sure you capture all the information you need to win their business and their trust.
• And more: Check out these posts which illustrate how one customer is leveraging map parts to design and configure SharePoint implementations.

Access Map Parts two ways:

Ribbon toolbar: You can access map parts under the Map Group in the Insert Menu.

Task Pane: Alternatively, you can access and open Map Parts from MindManager’s Task Pane. On the lower right-hand side of the

Create a Map Part

1. Optional: Create a folder to store the map part by right clicking in the map parts pane (top half) and select new folder. Enter folder name. In this example, I created a folder called "Meetings".
    
   
    
2. With the appropriate folder selected in the Map Parts pane, place your cursor on the topic where you want your map part branch to start
3. In the Map Parts pane, click Add Selected Topics

   
   

4. A thumbnail of the new Map Part will be displayed in the Map Parts pane

   

Use Map Parts

1. In the map that you’re working on, select the topic where you would like to add the map part
2. Open the Map Parts pane
3. Left click the specific map part that you would like to add

   

4. The new branch will now appear in your map, ready for you to capture all of your meeting notes and action items

   

Back to you…how have you used Map Parts to save time and build consistency within your processes?

About the Author: Michael Deutch is Mindjet’s Chief Evangelist, content contributor for the Mindjet Blog and the Mindjet Connections newsletter. Get more from Michael on Twitter. 

Sign up to receive the Mindjet blog via email