Mind Mapping for Projects and Business Analysis

Introduction

• Speaker: Dr. White, Business Analyst
• Topic: Building mind maps for projects and business analysis
• Goal: Understand the use, creation, and benefits of mind maps
• Key Agenda:
  • What is a mind map?
  • Uses of mind maps
  • Benefits of mind maps for projects
  • Main components of a mind map
  • Best practices
  • Example mind map

What is a Mind Map?

• Definition: A visual note-taking technique to organize and decompose information or ideas
• Purpose: Aid in visual thinking, generating ideas, making connections, and organizing thoughts
• Benefits: Captures information similarly to how the human mind processes it

Uses of Mind Maps

• Decompose complex topics
• Determine relationships between concepts
• Explore facets of an issue/problem
• Represent a comprehensive view of a complex topic
• Think through large issues with various components

Benefits of Mind Maps for Projects

• Identify potential stakeholders and their relationships
• Explore key aspects of the current state
• Develop future state ideas and understand dependencies
• Support brainstorming and idea organization
• Identify and explore design options
• Generate a consolidated view of the project

Main Components of a Mind Map

1. Main Topic

• Central concept or issue, often represented as a large node in the center

2. Topics

• High-level components associated with the main topic
• Examples: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How

3. Subtopics

• Detailed information about each topic, can be expanded as needed

4. Branches

• Lines that connect the main topic, topics, and subtopics

5. Keywords

• Single words or brief phrases to label nodes

6. Color

• Used to differentiate and categorize various parts of the mind map

7. Images

• Represent large amounts of information, especially useful for the main topic and topics

Best Practices

• Color code to group related ideas
• Make key concepts visible with clear text and images
• Use singular keywords or short texts
• Place only one topic or subtopic on each branch
• Plan spacing ahead and allow for expansion
• Use central images or larger text for the main topic

Example Mind Map: CRM Implementation in a Mortgage Company

Creating the Main Topic Node:

• Label: Implement Customer Relationship Management System
• Option: Use a representative image

Adding Topic Nodes (Using 5W's and an H method):

• Who: Stakeholders
• What: Business Needs
• Where: Location of stakeholders and solution
• When: Project timelines
• Why: Project rationale and drivers (Goals)
• How: Achieving the solution

Decomposing Topic Nodes into Subtopics:

• Who (Stakeholders): Key groups impacted (e.g., customers, customer service reps, vendors)
• What (Business Needs): Problem/opportunity (e.g., low customer satisfaction, high churn)
• Where (Location): Infrastructure hosting, internal/external stakeholders
• When (Timelines): Project kickoff, project deadline
• Why (Goals): Change necessity, impact on customer retention, increased profits
• How (Solutions): Build or purchase solution, vendor selection process

Conclusion

• Mind maps offer a high-level overview and association of project components
• Encourages organized thinking and is a powerful tool for business analysis

Call to Action

• Engage: Share feedback and learn more about business analysis certifications and tips available at the BA doc.com

Note: Additional information and resources can be found via the provided links.