Concept mapping: an effective way to organize information

Concept mapping helps represent the available information visually in a comprehensive and clear manner. This is an easy way to gather and communicate information.

Important notice: Features and functions described on this page are for Mind Pad 2, the latest version of Mind Pad was released as a new major update (actually completely new project), so information on this page will be relevant only to Mind Pad 2, which is available for download, but is not supported.

The importance of organizing information

In the information-based society, the ability to handle complex information is extremely important. To analyze the current state in the project progress, plan future activities or discover problem solutions, you need to arrange the available information properly. Explicit knowledge representation encourages creativity and helps integrate generated ideas and viewpoints in the previous concept. This proves to be highly effective for assisting and enhancing group brainstorming.

Using concept mapping

A particularly good method to organize information about a specific subject or problem is concept mapping. Concept mapping arranges the existing information in a form of a web diagram, or “concept map”. Typically, a concept map consists of concepts enclosed in circles or boxes called nodes, linked by lines or arrows that may be labeled and illustrate relationships between concepts. The information structured in a concept map is more easily accessible; it can be quickly understood and shared with others.

When starting to construct a concept map, it is important to define one or more central, most inclusive concepts for a certain problem or situation. This concept should be placed at the top of the map. More specific concepts should be arranged in the hierarchical fashion below the key concept.

After the preliminary concept map is constructed, it should be revised several times. The final concept map is normally a comprehensive structure containing a number of principal and subordinate concepts with explicit links showing in which way the concepts are related to each other.

Concept map is an easy way to handle complex information

You can use concept mapping to visualize information and present it in the most comprehensible form. Properly organized information helps easily understand and evaluate the existing knowledge and opens the way for effective planning and research.

More about concept mapping

Some information about concept mapping from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Articles about process mapping

Find two articles about process mapping. The first is about "six code" methodic that based process mapping to increase productivity. The second one is about improving note-taking with concept maps.

Process mapping is one of the six core techniques needed for in-house development

COMPUTERWORLD wrote:

Smart companies will adopt development practices that increase their productivity and make in-house alternatives still more attractive, he adds. Services CIO Michael H. Hugos says six core techniques -- he calls them the "skills of the game" -- are crucial for successful in-house development

Read article: Process mapping is one of the six core techniques needed for in-house development

Improving Note Taking with Concept Maps

Mind Tools wrote:

Concept Maps abandon the list structure of conventional note-taking completely in favour of a two dimensional structure. A good Concept Map shows the 'shape' of the subject, the relative importance of information and ideas, and the way that information relates to other information. Typically Concept Maps are more compact than conventional notes, often taking up one side of paper. This helps associations to be made easily. Information that is acquired after the main Concept Map has been drawn can be easily integrated with minimal disruption.
Read article: Improving Note Taking with Concept Maps

Evaluate Mind Pad

Mind Pad is a concept mapping software. You can download fully-function 30-days evaluation version of Mind Pad: http://www.mind-pad.com/download.htm

Please, visit ordering page for more information about Mind Pad pricing and purchasing.

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