MindManager Adds GPS to Your Maps
Updated July 23, 2019
MindManager Adds GPS to Your Maps
Overall Satisfaction with MindManager
Currently I'm the beta fish for MindManager; beta testing solo for use by our team here, and then fighting for it.
For 30+ years I've been using 'mind mapping' techniques, starting while at UW, then progressing through
various versions of the software. Incredibly happy with what v2018 offers today (have maintenance package for the 2019 upgrade but yet to install). Much an analog man for early brainstorming on sketchbooks or whiteboards, all ends up in the software.
various versions of the software. Incredibly happy with what v2018 offers today (have maintenance package for the 2019 upgrade but yet to install). Much an analog man for early brainstorming on sketchbooks or whiteboards, all ends up in the software.
MM allows for simply moving a branch of a map onto its own. As I hold various roles I need to link maps as I get more granular... I find sharing a map a few levels down is simpler for me than fiddling with a large map, but I haven't tried the new HTML exporting, so I could be behind the bus on that.
MM also has an intense, immense and impressive ability for me to CODE AND SORT tasks for whatever I need. Beyond the obvious who/what/when the ability to code and sort tasks by font/color/icons/etc/etc/etc means allows for an
insane amount of control. Implementing dashboards is next, so that specific people look at specific things. GANTT I believe will become my new best friend.
insane amount of control. Implementing dashboards is next, so that specific people look at specific things. GANTT I believe will become my new best friend.
Looking forward to sharing via the html functionality with non-MM users. Brilliant strategy to get power users work out there and give a taste to the uninitiated.
Mindjet partner Olympic Limited sells an add-on that makes the above easier. Kudos to Mindjet for their partners.
Regarding Corel, I'm glad they purchased Mindjet! I fondly recall how 30 years ago utterly intuitive Wordperfect on the NeXT platform was daily, as I struggle with MSO. Good on the folks at Corel to pick up these gems.
TK
- Strategic Planning
- Brainstorming
- Process Mapping
- Knowledge Management
- Task and Project Management
- Project Planning
- Super easy to use; everyone gets the basics and the power behind mind mapping.
- Incredible flexibility to grow/expand on ideas and then to link them.
- Dashboards and Gantt charts are polished.
- Multi-monitor support...could be my setup here but I struggle with super large maps and I find using a set of linked smaller maps to be less grief than scrolling around a large map but I would highly prefer seeing the bigger picture. That or some hotkeys to improve using a super large map.
1 to 10
- $400 for the ability to do a project mapped out or hierarchical.
- Ability to lay out all the tasks and Gantt them - included.
- Ability to share maps with anyone with a browser - included.
I'll keep it simple: the ability to easily, intuitively add/move topics and tasks around so fluidly isn't possible in Word or Excel
First looks showed how inferior other mind mapping software was to MM.
MindManager Feature Ratings
Using MindManager
1 -
Currently I'm still the only user (see my previous review) BUT I'm board chair of a charitable organization about to undertake a huge project and my intent is to roll out MindManager for that.
Gosh, with the ease of use, youtube and the great tech support, not required. I will say that I'm a visual-auditory guy so reading through help files isn't as quick/easy as videos. I will say that I rely on the videos/webinars to really get into functionality...something that I recommend new users do asap as there are SO MANY things MindManager has built-in that you really need to see them in action to appreciate them. Easy after that AND most likely you'll get a better idea as to how YOU would want to use the software. And kudos to Corel/Mindjet for fixing bugs and rolling out upgrades.
- Brainstorming and then prioritizing
- Project Management and Tracking
- Knowledge Base - Storage
- Knowledge Base - Dissemination
- Publishing Maps and sending as HTML
- Embedding multiple maps in HTML and sent as one big (non-editable) map
- Integrating Tasks with Outlook is on the docket
- Resource allocation
- Integrating with office and committees
- Custom filtering to dashboards (eg for office, committee, even down to the person level)
Evaluating MindManager and Competitors
- Price
- Product Features
- Product Usability
- Product Reputation
- Prior Experience with the Product
- Vendor Reputation
- Existing Relationship with the Vendor
- Positive Sales Experience with the Vendor
- Analyst Reports
- Third-party Reviews
MindManager is still on top, IMO, as no other products offer anything
close to it (either freestanding or SaaS) and I know this as I just did a
decent due diligence into MindManager vs the competitors from an
unbiased viewpoint.
close to it (either freestanding or SaaS) and I know this as I just did a
decent due diligence into MindManager vs the competitors from an
unbiased viewpoint.
Perhaps present the top 3 options to a user group, but I'll be presenting to the board so not really a change in the evaluation process but the next step.
MindManager Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Yes - We also licensed an Olympic product...so staged installation which got a bit delayed getting the Olympic software to work through TrendMicro AV as work laptops managed by IT department.
Change management was minimal
- None with MindManager
- Some issues getting Olympic product to work with TrendMicro AV but my understanding is that was due to an IT managed platform
MindManager Training
- Online training
- Self-taught
Yes and no. Sure you can plug away but watching a 30-60 min video helped me greatly.
Configuring MindManager
Take the time to consider your information/project classification and methodology!
MindManager can handle anything you throw at it, so don't throw garbage.
Once established, it's super easy to throw down info/brainstorming/etc against either an existing map or create a new one via templates and link it where necessary. That way easy to enter and find whatever you need to do.
Yes - we have customized the interface extensively - See previous. Spend the time to learn tricks via online videos.
No - we have not done any custom code
Nothing done.
MindManager Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed No escalation required Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | None |
Yes - Not too expensive and seems to be working. I believe you get what you're willing to pay for and I prefer annual, flat, inclusive fees.
Haha, when the sales team gave the seat price for charities! We can get a few licenses now and not crimp.
Using MindManager
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Like to use Easy to use Technical support not required Well integrated Consistent Quick to learn Convenient Feel confident using Familiar | None |
- Just getting going...no fanfare to start mapping
- Adding formatting
- Printing maps
- Publishing and sharing maps
- Scrolling large maps (but I really could rotate my monitor to portrait mode)
MindManager Reliability
Integrating MindManager
- Microsoft Outlook for tasks
Still 'beta' so rather not comment.
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Excel
No idea.
Nothing yet.
No integration done.
Relationship with Corel Corporation
Upgrading MindManager
Yes - Easy breezy.
- Publishing and Sharing of maps
- Better ability to scale Snagit attachments