Mind Mapping in business analysis helps business analysts highlight and solve business problems more effectively, identify problems and brainstorm.
Today's article will be very interesting to read since we're going to discuss an exciting and effective tool used for brainstorming.
Looking at this article's name, you must think that it's about some geek coding thing where you gotta make business maps. So let me give you a reason to be happy by telling you that mind mapping is completely opposite to your perception.
No matter how unfamiliar the term "Mind mapping" is to you, in reality, all of you must have used mind mapping in your school, university, jobs, etc.
This article will clear all your misconceptions since we will discuss Mind Mapping in business analysis in detail today.
Mind mapping is a technique used by people in all fields for brainstorming and problem-solving.
The process of mind mapping is quite simple. As the name suggests, you just have to create a map out of your thoughts.
It may seem a little confusing but don't worry, let me explain it to you in an easy way. For example, you are writing an essay about ten habits you want to change. First, take a piece of paper and write the name of the essay in the center of it since it is the theme of the essay.
Now think about the habits that you want to change. As you think of them, start writing them one by one surrounding the theme since they are the main ideas that provide soul to the essay. After you're done writing them, draw lines from the theme to all ten habits you've stated.
Then draw other lines connecting habits with the points that convince you to change these habits. That's how an entire mind map is created by arranging all your thoughts on a piece of paper in chronological order. This useful technique will not only help you in writing a good essay, but it'll also help you in further brainstorming about the topic.
We've all been using the mind mapping technique for years, unfortunately not knowing it is called mind mapping.
This technique is applicable in any field. However, it holds great significance in identifying problems, providing solutions, and making the right decisions in business analysis. Businesses can analyze any project by answering the 5Ws (Who, What, Where, When, Why) through a mind map.
How Does Mind Mapping Help Businesses
The importance of mind mapping has been recognized by businesses recently. Companies have realized that visualizing concepts improves decision-making and makes meetings more productive.
According to a recent survey, mind mapping increases productivity by 30% and creativity by 50%. Such positive statistics made companies adopt this fantastic technique.
Mind mapping is usually used by project managers in companies to brainstorm on the project so that it can be carried out efficiently. Similar to any other field, mind mapping helps businesses in multiple ways. In this section, we'll be discussing the role of mind mapping in business.
Increases Productivity
Huge businesses operating in the market always seek to increase their productivity to minimize costs and increase profits.
Since mind maps make us state all the ideas on a piece of paper or software, the linkage between primary and sub-ideas in mind mapping brings clarity to our thoughts and provides us with steps where to start from; As a result, productivity increases.
A survey was carried out to investigate the impact of mind mapping on productivity. The results showed that 88.8% of respondents believed applying the mind mapping technique saves 1-7 hours per week.
Improves Communicating Ability
The mind mapping technique can also present complex business ideas very simply. This helps companies to communicate business ideas to stakeholders in a simple way.
For example, project managers use the mind mapping technique to convey their ideas to the entire team simply so that the idea can be implemented as it is.
Facilitate Online Collaboration
Mind mapping also acts as a catalyst to facilitate online business meetings. It helps professionals brainstorm and present their ideas with the help of different mind mapping software.
Recently, during the testing times of COVID-19, businesses used the mind mapping technique to connect the professionals working remotely so they could brainstorm together on different business ideas.
Mind Mapping for Business Analysis
Mind maps in business are the visual representation of ideas, problems, and solutions. Business analysts often use this technique while brainstorming. Mind mapping allows business analysts to write down their thoughts and identify problems related to these ideas and the solutions to these problems.
In this way, business analysts use mind mapping to simplify complex ideas and find solutions to plenty of problems.
Business analysts use this technique to remember small details of the project that join back to the main idea with the help of colorful markers and labels.
We will discuss how the mind mapping technique helps business analysts conduct business analysis.
Problem Solving
Business analysis is carried out by companies to identify the problems and provide solutions to those problems that occur to businesses.
Business analysts use mind maps to solve these problems since mind maps arrange all the information structurally. This is why mind maps are used to document the procedures and details of business analysis. Since every little procedure is documented in mind maps, it is easy to identify where the business went wrong.
Verification of Information
While conducting business analysis, gathering information and statistics is essential in making future business decisions and policies.
However, it is essential to check the authenticity of the data collected upon which the future forecasts rely. Mind mapping helps verify the authenticity of the data since it contains step-by-step information so it can be clearly investigated how and from where the data was obtained.
Setting Priorities and Making Future Policies
Mind mapping also plays a significant role in setting the direction of a business on the right path since the structure of mind maps forces businesses to prioritize their ideas, tasks, etc.
Once the priorities are set, it becomes easier for business analysts to make policies for the future. For example, suppose the mind maps identify that slow growth is the problem occurring to a business. In that case, business analysts can make future policies targeting the issue of growth.
How Do I Create a Mind Map for My Business?
We have already discussed the significance of mind maps in previous sections. However, this section will shed light on how to construct a good mind map for business. After reading this section, you guys will be able to construct mind maps for your own businesses.
Theme
First of all, state the central theme of the mind map since it tells you the purpose of why a mind map is getting constructed in the first place. In the case of a business, It is essential to clarify its direction so that all the policies are made accordingly. Hence, you can choose a business roadmap as the theme of the business mind map.
Main Ideas
Since the mind map's theme is the business roadmap, all the policies shaping the business's direction will be considered the mind map's main ideas. Therefore, key business factors like marketing strategies, labor, policies, etc., are significant in helping a business achieve its desired goals.
Sub-Ideas
After you're done stating the important business factors as the main ideas of the mind map, draw branches from the main ideas to the sub-ideas since sub-ideas further explain the main ideas in detail. For example, sub-ideas coming out from the main idea of marketing strategies will explain what marketing strategy should be made for the business.
Use of Mind Maps Throughout the Project Life Cycle
Along with several uses, mind maps are also used by business analysts throughout the project life cycle to get more clarity about the project.
Business analysts use mind mapping to answer questions related to a project, such as Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. The technique used to get these answers is called the 5Ws and 1H technique.
5Ws and 1H
Similar to journalism and police investigation, a business analyst also asks the questions such as Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. Let's examine what these questions mean in the project life cycle context.
Who
The "who" question is directed by the business analyst to determine the stakeholders and project partners in a project. A business analyst needs to know the people who will get affected by the project.
What
This question takes into account what are the requirements to carry out this project. This is an essential question for a business analyst since it defines its scope.
Where
The where question helps the business analyst know the project's location, where it will be carried out, and where it will be delivered.
When
This question refers to when the project should be completed. This question informs the business analyst about the project timelines.
Why
This question highlights the reason why a project has been initiated. This helps the business analyst know the underlying motives behind a project. Knowing the reason behind a project enables the business analyst to evaluate the project better.
How
The "how" question makes the business analyst understand how the problems in the project can be solved and the measures to be taken to solve those problems.
Mind Mapping Software
Simple mind mapping is usually done by pouring thoughts on paper. These thoughts are then worked out and connected through arrows. However, different software is used to construct mind maps in today's tech-savvy world.
Using software to construct mind mapping is very common in the field of business too. Most companies nowadays have downloaded different mind mapping software such as Mind Maps Pro and Xmind to construct mind maps more effectively and timeously.
Final Word: Mind Mapping in Business Analysis
The term mind mapping defines the technique of brainstorming and problem solving by visualizing your thoughts as a map.
This technique helps in noting down all the small details. As a result, no significant detail is missed. Moreover, all the thoughts are visualized in the mind mapping technique; hence, brainstorming is easy.
The mind mapping technique may sound like a very complex tool. However, in reality, it is very easy to use. The procedure of carrying out a mind mapping technique is very simple.
All you have to do is to write the main concept in the middle. The main concept in a mind map is the concept upon which you plan to brainstorm. It could be any problem, a project, or anything.
After that, state the main ideas surrounding the main concept. Main ideas are the ideas that come to your mind when you brainstorm about the main concept.
Next to the main ideas, write the details that explain the main ideas. These details are called sub-ideas. Finally, link the main concept with the main ideas and main ideas with sub-ideas with the help of an arrow to complete your mind map.
Business analysts have recently started using mind mapping for business analysis. The mind mapping technique has made the business analysis more efficient and easy to carry out.
Moreover, mind mapping also helps business analysts highlight and solve business problems more effectively since the mind mapping technique arranges information in a structural way where it is easy to detect problems. After identifying the problems, brainstorming can be done to find solutions. We hope this article has made you aware of the mind mapping technique itself and the significance of Mind Mapping in business analysis.
