1. Olivier Serrat A Guide to Mind Maps 2014
The views expressed in this presentation are the views of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank, or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this presentation and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this presentation do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.

2. Thinking as a Skill
Intelligence is a potential, and thinking is the operating skill through which it acts upon experience.
Outside highly technical matters, perception is the most important part of thinking.
If most errors of thinking are errors of perception—that being colored by emotions and values—thinking as a skill can be improved by practice and education.

3. Sundry Tools for the Job
Numerous straightforward yet powerful tools encourage creativity and flexibility, and help optimize different styles of reasoning (including analyzing, integrating, planning, and problem solving). They include APC (A stands for Alternatives, P for Possibilities, and C for Choices), OPV (Other People's Views), PMI (P stands for Plus—the good points, M for Minus—the bad points, and I for Interesting—the interesting points), brainstorming, lateral thinking, and mind maps.

4. Of Mind Maps
We usually write notes as sentences that we break into paragraphs, lists, or bullet points.
In lieu of the list format conventionally relied upon to take notes, a mind map structures information visually: it develops from a single word (or short text), placed in the center of a sheet of paper, to which associated information is added in the form of sub-branches.

5. The Mind Mapping Process
The process of drawing a mind map can be described in a few steps: (i) start at the center of a page (rather than from its top-left corner), (ii) adopt an open, creative attitude, (iii) associate and link keywords and images freely, (iv) think fast, (v) break black-and-white boundaries with different colors and styles, (vi) do not judge, (vii) keep moving, and (viii) allow gradual organization by adding relationships and connections.

6. The Mind Map Advantage
Mind maps are compact, with no unnecessary words; easy to draw; very flexible; and can summarize pages of information.
Mind maps help identify gaps in information and shine clarity on important issues.
The visual quality of mind maps allows users to identify, clarify, classify, summarize, consolidate, highlight, and present the structural elements of a subject more simply than with a standard set of notes. (It also assists review.)

7. The Mind Map Advantage
Mind maps facilitate recall because the clear association and linking of ideas mirrors the way the brain works—keywords and images are remembered with lesser effort than linear notes.
The process of drawing a mind map is more interesting and entertaining than writing a report, or drafting a standard chart or table.

8. Overcoming Challenges to Learning for Change in ADB: A Mind Map
Source: ADB Learning for Change in ADB. Manila. Available: pp. 26–27.

9. Further Reading
ADB The Reframing Matrix. Manila. Available:
ADB The Five Whys Technique. Manila. Available:
ADB The SCAMPER Technique. Manila. Available:
ADB Drawing Mind Maps. Manila. Available:
ADB Wearing Six Thinking Hats. Manila. Available:
ADB Learning for Change in ADB. Manila. Available:

10. Videos
ADB The Critical Incident Technique. Manila. Available: vimeo.com/
ADB The Five Whys Technique. Manila. Available: vimeo.com/
ADB The Reframing Matrix. Manila. Available: vimeo.com/

11. Olivier Serrat Principal Knowledge Management Specialist
Regional and Sustainable Development Department
Asian Development Bank