Well, you might think I have user personas, journey maps, use cases, sketches, wireframes... Do I need one more thing? I believe the answer is yes. Let me tell you why mind maps are such an essential strategy tool.

Why are mind maps so great?

Mind maps are easily malleable.
Mind maps require us to view the information in specific organizational structures and patterns.
Mind maps create a way to communicate that can reveal your pattern of thought and methodology, not just the final product.
Mind maps can help us organize our thoughts in a way that can be translatable to both those who think similarly to ourselves and to those who process ideas differently.

Be clear, be confident, and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve, and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later, it will take care of itself. It always does.

So, what exactly is a Mind Map?

On the surface, a Mind Map is just a different way to create lists of information. However, Mind Maps allow us to take it one step further and structure and organize ideas in a way that reflects the brain's natural way of grouping information.

There are many benefits to this process. Think about yourself and those you work with.

How do they think differently than you?
How do they or you remember information best?
Are you or your colleagues neurodivergent?
How well do others understand you when you communicate your ideas?
Are you or others more visual learners?
Do you have trouble bringing structure or methodology to your ideas?

The truth is sometimes we get stuck in what we have always done or know best, but we may inadvertently be missing the needs of our colleagues. We may be missing the opportunity to have our ideas better articulated and understood with the structure they call for.

My designers and I communicated frequently, understand each other well, and didn't feel anything was lacking. However, it wasn't until we brought in Mind Maps that conversation evolved past the to-do list to in-depth discussions around methodology and conceptual design.

How about some examples?

Mind Map Example 1: Tables

Our UX team worked together to build a complex data-heavy application with a user base that has depended on Excel for many years. Tables in the UI are a hot topic. As we started to look at building componentry for the tables and considered how versatile they needed to be for our users and other internal applications, I realized we needed to find a way to break it down.

That is when Mind Maps came in. You can see how we deconstructed and laid it out below. We used this to decide what we wanted within the component and how we would iterate on the design. The questions we considered included: what were all the possible functionalities? What did we need now? What areas needed wiggle room for future growth? How did filter functionality play into the core table design? We dove into what the table design might need, what interactions could happen, and the coordinating signals we needed to decide for those.

Mind Map Example 2: Notifications

Considering the complexity of our application, as you might imagine, identifying and finding a design for notifications was a recurring conversation. While we were preparing to design our notification component, other internal teams started designing their own solutions. During this time, we noted each team's different needs; these differences would complicate aligning around a universal component. Since the benefits of having a universal notifications component starting point far outweighed the complications of aligning on needs, I did not let it deter me from really digging into the user experience of notifications and strategically approaching the problem.

The first step was to consider what users might experience and their thought processes around notifications. You can see that in my attempt below.

The second step was to interpret those needs into specific functionalities and decide on a strategic approach. You can see those Mind Maps below. These helped us decide on a cross-application approach where the design has a core basic component and 'accessories' for additional functionality or scenarios that could be adapted to each product.

How can you make mind maps too?

Truth is a pen and paper will do the job, but digital mind mapping tools take it to the next level. While a pen and paper will work, applications help you make them quickly and easily rearrange your map as many times as you need. For me, this iterative process is what allows me to think through a concept.

If you are looking for a tool, your first step should be finding out what may be provided to you through your company. For example, Visio and Miro both have this functionality. But if you are still on the hunt, you can check out this article here or google similar articles.

One tool you most likely won't find on these lists is my favorite, Whimsical. We often use Whimsical for a combination of Mind Mapping and low-fidelity wireframing. Usually, our mind maps grow to have sketches of concepts beside certain sections or even inspiration photos. The downside? It does have a monthly cost, but it's certainly worth it for me.

Wrap Up

And there you have it! I hope I've shown you the value Mind Maps may add to your process and conversations.

What do you think? Any new ideas on how to use Mind Maps? Have you used them before? If so, in what ways? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts below. If you have never created a Mind Map, I challenge you to give it a go and to use it to explore a new idea by yourself or with others.

Mastering Product Development: A Guide to Swift and Effective Solutions with Mind Maps