ConceptDraw MindMap 6: Full Of Ideas

With the limitless possibilities the internet provides us, any one can become the next entrepreneur. As such, the popularity of small businesses, online and retail, has soared. There is an ever increasing demand for business productivity and organization tools. Perhaps one of the best solutions out there is ConceptDraw MindMap 6, part of the ConceptDraw Office suite of applications by the company CS Odessa.

As suggested by the title of the software, ConceptDraw MindMap 6 is an application designed to help with brainstorming, mind-mapping and concept development. In the business world, it is often necessary to present ideas to peers, and ConceptDraw MindMap 6 is an invaluable tool for this. With many design options, you can create sophisticated mind maps that can be presented on a large scale. The application can take you from initial brain storm, right through to that all important business presentation.

Upon launch of MindMap, the user is met with a splash screen which reflects the mind map theme.  You can select to outline a totally new idea, or you can jump in straight away with a fully fledged mind map. Another option upon launch is the highly unique and productive tool for timed brainstorming. When selected, a clock begins and the user can simply type ’spur of the moment’ thoughts until the chime rings (or in this case, a round of applause). After the clock is up, MindMap conveniently places the quickly typed, tip of the tongue ideas into a mind map layout, ready for presentation or further development. All in all, the opening slash screen is well equipped to get all users developing the next revolutionary product or service.  The only minus of the initial screen is the supposed “Getting Started Tutorial”, which actually takes the user to a 300 page manual that is anything but quick. You can, of course, choose not to have this window appear on launch, but I do feel that it does simply layout the main options for the user, and can point them in the right direction toward creating the next big thing.

The focus of the application should obviously lie in it’s mind mapping capabilities, which I feel are of course extensive and rich. As with all mind maps, hand drawn or otherwise, upon a new document, the user defines a central theme or idea, off which topics and sub topics in branches can be added. It is often necessary to link ideas in a mind map, so of course this software does provide an abundance of arrows and numerous ways to signify similar ideas. Any one of the branches of the tree can have notes applied to it, making the options limitless. For a more interactive approach to presenting your mind maps, the user can also add hyperlinks to any of the branches or ideas to point the user toward an intended location.

Of course, the idea of taking mind maps out of a hand written, archaic environment is to up efficiency and to make it more presentable and appealing to a audience. It is no surprise, therefore, that MindMap is equipped with many design options. Perhaps the most appealing is the ability to define, save and edit colour and design themes for quick access. It comes equipped with 14 themes preloaded, all of which can be customized and saved for later use. Another design feature is the option to illustrate your mind maps with either the  complete clip art library, or one from elsewhere. The clipart library is extensive and includes such categories as ‘People’ and ‘Symbols’ to provide a visual stimulus to your audience.

With all of these options, it is no surprise that the choices in final delivery are also extensive. The user has the option to either present and save inside of MindMap itself, or export to 10 different output mediums. Some of the most interesting include the ability to fully integrate with Microsoft Powerpoint, or to export in HTML to make use of included hyperlinks, or for display on the Internet.

ConceptDraw MindMap 6 is available standalone on Mac and PC for £139, or it can be bought as part of a larger software suite known as ConceptDraw Office, which can cover all aspects of project management and development with four vastly equipped applications for £339. For anyone who takes their projects seriously, I highly recommend trying out the free  30 day trial today.