Mind maps are finding more ways into more parts of my writing and consulting work as I strive to be more productive in project planning, project communications, and always looking for better ways to brainstorm new article and post ideas. So I was happy that MindJet finally launched their long awaited MindJet MindManager 8 for Mac, which puts this version on parity with the Windows version.
It doesn’t take using MindJet Manager 8 for the Mac for too long to see some positive advancements in the user interface over the previous version. Starting out from a blank map, I found the Inspector dialog box to be accessible and the markers all very well laid out as compared to my previous experience with MindManager 7 on the Mac.
There is an expanded set of templates that is great for users. Not being of the visually minded sort, I learned how to use mind maps from templates and see them as great starting points if you are new to mind mapping.
Spending a good part of my work days dealing with better ways to communicate technical and project management information so I encourage my clients to explore the different view options in their applications and MindManager 8 includes an Outline view and options to drill down into notes and manage the information details you can view. There is a lot to learn here for views especially the best ways to capture and present complementary information like notes for your maps. This is a very positive aspect of the application because you can manage level of details as you and your team grow into using mind maps for project management and communications.
Previously, I’ve written about mind maps as project management tools and the newly expanded set of templates includes ones for process documentation, project planning, and SWOT Analysis, which I was happy to see since I’ve seen the value of mind maps as a visualization tool for project data.
While, I’ve yet to see mind mapping in use outside of one or two employees in a corporate or project setting the introduction of MindJet Player and collaboration in this version should hopefully open some doors into getting mind maps out to the masses. MindJet Player is a view only application for mind map (*.mmap) files and Mindjet MindManager 8 for Mac also enables you to share maps via iChat.
One of my personal explorations with mind mapping is to better integrate other files like Microsoft Word documents and screen capture images into my maps. MindManager 8 for the Mac offers up features for attaching files an inserting calendar events or to dos into iCal. My plan is to exercise some of these options on some upcoming project planning I have to complete. The best part of the integration is its simplicity making it easy to think up ways you can use these options for your maps.
Switching back and forth between MindManager 8 for Windows and MindManager 7 for the Mac showed some real gaps between the applications to me and working with MindJet MindManager for the Mac for just a few days shows me that MindJet does mean what they say about Mac support in their products.
Have you used MindJet MindManager 8 for the Mac? Share your experience below.
