About the Mind Mapping Template

If you’re looking for a well-organized, memorable, graphic representation of your next brainstorm, look no further than the Ideal for visual learners, this method lacks the rigid structure of other ideation techniques, focusing instead on the creative and logical means of literally mapping out ideas.

Keep reading to learn more about the Mind Map Template.

What is a mind map?

A mind map is a diagram designed to organize information in a visual hierarchy. It’s often used to see connections between concepts or ideas. Think of it as a tree. The center of your mind map — or its trunk — is the subject, question, or problem you’re trying to solve. Once you’ve established your trunk, your brainstorm begins. As your team jots down all their ideas, topics, and subtopics the branches of your mind map will begin to form.

When to use a mind map

Mind mapping is one of the best ways to capture your thoughts and bring them to life in visual form. Beyond just note-taking, mind maps can help you and your team become more creative, remember more, and solve problems more effectively. Mind mapping is a useful exercise for most any purpose. Whether you’re doing some personal journaling or your team needs to rethink a process, feature or product, it’s a powerful tool to have in your brainstorming tool belt.

Read more in our Quick Guide to Mind Mapping>>

Create your own Mind Map Template

Starting your own remote mind map exercise is simple with Miro’s free template. To get started, head over to the Miro templates and select the Mind Map template. Remember, mind mapping is a quick and easy way for teams to capture, organize, and structure ideas.

Inspire your team to unlock their creative thinking with Miro’s free Mind Map Template.

1. Click on this template to get started in Miro.

2. You can share it with your team members to collaborate in real time.

3. Remember to start with the parent concept – aka the trunk of your tree. The center of your mind map (or trunk) is the specific question or concept that is central to getting to the bottom of your topic or solving your problem. Type it in the center of the Mind Map Template.

4. Now, give your team 5 minutes to write down the first idea that comes to mind when thinking of the concept. You can use images, words, or short phrases. Remember, this is a quick exercise meant to encourage free thinking.

5. Write down ideas as branches that extend from the center of your mind map. Once you’re ready to move or structure ideas, hold down Ctrl or Cmd and click on concepts to drag and rearrange the branches.

6. Once you have your first set of branches mapped out, choose one branch and ask yourselves, “Where else can we take this? What is a related concept or problem?” Then, draw a branch extending from the first branch and put your second idea at the end.

7. Continue to repeat the process until you feel like you’re at a good stopping point.

8. Try changing the color and orientation or even intersperse things like sticky notes, images, or emojis.