For Better Programming Mindmaps For Better Programming Michael Smith michael@teratech.com TeraTech, Inc. CFUNITED – The premier ColdFusion conference www.cfunited.com

Overview What are is a mindmap? Why mindmap? How to mindmap Resources June 28th – July 1st 2006

Speaker Information 25 years programming 10 years with ColdFusion 7 years with Fusebox Custom development Teach one-on-one and custom classes Fusebox and Process Methodology MDCFUG, CFUNITED June 28th – July 1st 2006

What is a Mindmap? A mindmap is a visual way of organizing ideas in a web-like structure. June 28th – July 1st 2006

Sample hand drawn mindmap June 28th – July 1st 2006

Why mindmap? Use right brain (visual, intuitive) as well as left brain (logical, linear) increase thinking and remembering Improve developer and business discussions Make new connections between ideas Fast and easy to create Easy to learn Fun! June 28th – July 1st 2006

Benefits of Mindmaps Visual Hierarchical Easy to connect “distant ideas” Like an outline Brain dump first, then easy to rearrange ideas June 28th – July 1st 2006

Mindmap Parts What constitutes a Mindmap? Center word and image Branches Sub-branches – less important info Single keywords Images and color June 28th – July 1st 2006

Mindmap Circuits and Fuseactions June 28th – July 1st 2006

How to create a Mindmap Paper on side (landscape) Draw Central image Add key words and branch lines Add sub-branches, associate ideas Print Add emphasis June 28th – July 1st 2006

Central Image June 28th – July 1st 2006

Branches June 28th – July 1st 2006

Sub-branches June 28th – July 1st 2006

Link ideas June 28th – July 1st 2006

Mindmap design tips Not perfect – a draft – can redraw more organized when done “Beginners mind” Keywords - Single words Use colors Use pictures and symbols June 28th – July 1st 2006

Key words One word! Forces you to think before you write June 28th – July 1st 2006

Exercise – Draw a mind map Pick a topic or question that is important to you. Questions before we start? How to pass the shush Five minutes in silence to mind map your topic or question June 28th – July 1st 2006

Mindmap Steps Prepare Generate map Associate freely Review Incubate – take a break! Re-organize New map in clockwise sequence Act June 28th – July 1st 2006

Uses of Mindmaps Planning Brainstorming Group thinking; meetings Documenting Note taking and review Resources June 28th – July 1st 2006

Mindmaps in Programming Requirements gathering Fusebox Architecting Development brainstorming Testing and debugging Project management Questions and resources June 28th – July 1st 2006

Tools Pen and paper! Yellow sticky pad/ whiteboard Mindmapper www.mindmapper.com Open mind www.matchware.net Freemind freemind.sourceforge.net June 28th – July 1st 2006

Resources Tony Buzan www.mind-map.com Fuseminder and mindfuser www.grokfusebox.com Innovation Tools www.innovationtools.com/resources/ mindmapping.asp www.mapyourmind.com Google Directory www.google.com/Top/Reference/Knowledge_Management/Knowledge_Creation/Mind_Mapping/ Fusebox core files are free. A very active community tests and improves Fusebox functionality while improving ease of use and simplicity of learning. June 28th – July 1st 2006

Mind mapping Books “Mapping Inner Space” by Nancy Margiulies and Nusa Maal “The Mind Map Book” by Tony Buzan “Use your Head” by Tony Buzan June 28th – July 1st 2006

Conclusion Mindmaps: increase thinking and remembering Improve developer and business discussions Easy to use Fun! June 28th – July 1st 2006

Questions? Ask now or Email me at michael@teratech.com June 28th – July 1st 2006