Mind Mapping for Project Teams

In this insightful session, consultant and author Maneesh Dutt shares how mind mapping can help project teams unlock their full potential. He introduces a simple yet powerful three-step process to harness both individual and team thinking using maps, and offers a real-world case study to show the impact of mapping on innovation culture. Packed with practical examples, the session also explores wider organizational uses for mind maps, from manuals to meetings to decision-making. Key Themes & Topics: [00:02:39] Introducing Maneesh & Mind Mapping Background From engineering and semiconductors to training and consulting, Maneesh shares his journey and passion for applying mind maps across industries. [00:05:22] Mind Mapping as a Thinking Tool Clarifies the structure and unique properties of a mind map: radiant, visual, colourful, and connected — and explains why it works across all sectors. [00:07:46] Two Core Applications in Organizations Mind maps help with: – Organizing complex information (e.g., summarising a 50-page policy) – Generating ideas (e.g., planning a book or solving a project problem) [00:12:01] Project Environments and Their Constraints Explains how limited time, cost, and quality demand smarter thinking — and how meetings are a key opportunity to leverage team intelligence. [00:16:13] A 2x2 Matrix of Meetings Breaks down four types of meetings (info/idea combos) and shows where mind maps provide the biggest value: ideation, decision-making, and review. [00:21:02] The Three-Step Mind Mapping Process for Teams Teach basic mind mapping Create individual maps to capture personal thinking Facilitate a group mapping session and curate the final map [00:23:04] Case Study: Building Innovation Culture in a Tech Company Shares a real example from a large R&D site — mapping helped move beyond silos, capture diverse ideas, prioritize, and launch real initiatives. [00:29:43] The Power of Curated Group Maps Final group maps revealed clear project themes and priorities, enabling subcommittees to form and real execution to begin — including product innovation and award recognition. [00:33:10] Applying Mapping Across the Entire Project Lifecycle Encourages teams not to limit mapping to retrospectives or documentation — but to use it throughout initiation, planning, execution, and closure. [00:34:02] Organizational Applications Beyond Projects Maps can support: – Training manuals – Presentations – Decision-making – Communication – Sales tools – Problem-solving – Strategic planning – Innovation & brainstorming [00:36:05] Books and Templates Maneesh shares how his books support mapping in project management, personal growth, and meetings — complete with iMindMap templates for practical use. Audience Q&A Highlights Topics included: – Whether Maneesh sees his books having a real impact on mapping awareness – Access to downloadable templates via his books (currently iMindMap format) – Using mind mapping in collaborative settings and potential for real-time team input – How maps complement existing tools like MS Project and Jira – The importance of starting with radiant thinking, then converting to linear formats – How to sell mind mapping to organisations: focus on end benefits, not the tool itself – Customising workshops using real-life problems to demonstrate immediate value – Unexpected and informal uses of mind maps — even “scratchy” ones — that still deliver breakthrough results