Mindmapping
This is a look at mindmapping techniques and other similar approaches to knowledge gathering

Mind Mapping
Mind mapping, or brain storming, is a technique whereby users put all the information in their head down on paper. The idea is to collect all the thoughts, no matter how initially nonsensical, and collate them to produce links and references to all the key areas of the subject studied. The eventual result gives the author a starting point for writing a topic with many ideas all together ready to be explored and linked. These techniques aim to utilise both sides of the human brain thinking both logically – linking objects or thinking of related subjects, and thinking creatively – putting in an unorthodox solution to a problem that wouldn’t normally be used.
There are other techniques that are similar to mind mapping, for example:
• ‘Mindscapes’ where the author pictures a task, for example as a mountain, with a path up it, with boulders as obstacles.
• ‘Fishboning’ where the key word or problem statement is written in a line with words coming off at 45 degree angles, creating a diagram that looks somewhat like a fish skeleton.
• ‘Visual thinking’ is an extension of mind mapping which encompasses several different techniques in order to create a solution.

This is an example of a mind map:

This is an example of fishboning:


Creative Connections
A useful technique, whereby a sentence is written, for example, “G3 mobiles are useful because…” and the users try to come up with ideas and words that will complete the sentence.

Rich Picture
Another diagramming technique, this approach uses words and pictures together to cover important issues. The rich picture is a tool from SSM (soft systems methodology) which includes the use of arguments (conflicts) and considers many issues, for example “G3 mobiles need coverage from masts” vs. “People are suspicious of masts because of cancer scare stories in the papers”.

This is an example of a rich picture:


Circle (or Spider) Diagram
This is another example of a brainstorming technique, this time, the problem is written in a circle and lines are drawn off it with problems on it, representing spider legs (or wheel spokes). Each spoke can be expanded into another circle if necessary. This technique doesn’t examine links between ideas initially like some other techniques do.

Random word technique
This technique sets out to associate random words with the objective word, for example, thinking about lifting a car, you might suggest “balloon” – using a balloon or inflatable to lift the car rather than a jack which could break through rust on the car. This technique works best with a creative mind prepared to think unexpected thoughts as solutions to problems.

Mind Mapping
http://www.mind-map.com/mindmaps_howto.htm
Visual Thinking
http://www.innovationtools.com/Articles/ArticleDetails.asp?a=10
Fishboning
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/comm-skills/st22-2/st-2.doc
Brainstorming techniques
http://www.creative-collaborations.com/articles/suncoastworkforce2-03brainstormtech.pdf
Rich pictures
http://www-staff.mcs.uts.edu.au/~igorh/cscw/tools/analcomm/rpex2.htm
Circle diagram
http://www.swc.utexas.edu/samples/writingprocess/brainstorm.pdf
Random Words
http://www.brainstorming.co.uk/tutorials/randomwordtutorial.html

Postering techniques

http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/Poster_Presentations/PstrStart.html

This site offers a very detailed, 29 step guide to producing effective posters, listing the techniques needed, ideas to make the poster stand out, and how to use diagrams and headings to get the point across. The approach is more of a business nature, but offers some good hints and tips on making an effective poster.

http://depts.washington.edu/mphpract/ppposter.html

This site is about doing presentations in PowerPoint, but offers some good tips on how to make a well presented poster, and the key issues that should be concentrated on to create a good poster. There are some very good pointers on starting to create the poster and preparation needed.

http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/IndexStart.html

This page is a collection of tips and techniques for creating a poster, but also offers some examples of posters and their positive and negative points, which are very useful for the creation of posters. The techniques on offer vary little from the other sites but the poster reviews are a very useful feature of the site.