A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea. Mind maps are used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing.

It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, but mind mapping is no more than a way to organize your thoughts on paper. It is, in some ways, a method of note taking. In other ways, it is a means to gather information on any topic and present it to any interested party. Mind maps have been used to organize thoughts around personal matters (finding a job) to work related matters (gathering user requirements for software development). Mind mapping can be used for any creative endeavor, writing, business, planning, project management, learning, studying and memory improvement.