I adopted MindManager back in 2022, firstly using it within our Product department to support visualising the backlog and also workshopping ideas. Subsequently, we have used MindManager to support other departments visualise and communicate key concepts and processes more effectively. We most commonly use the Concept Map functionality, however personally I also use the Mindmapping for idea exploration and self-organisation. The new whiteboard feature has also been valuable in recent workshops.
Pros
Visualise complex environments/concepts/processes
Support effective communication
Cons
Improve the alignment of multiple connecting lines between concepts when using the right-angle line format - often these can be very slightly misaligned
Enable users to change the thickness of bordering lines on concepts
Improve the overall alignment of shapes/concepts - I find I am often having to very slightly adjust many items to make them aligned correctly.
Likelihood to Recommend
MindManager is great for visualising and communicating concepts to groups with varying knowledge of the subject matter. We are only scratching the surface of its potential, however find it very useful nevertheless!
VU
Verified User
Project Manager in Corporate (Computer Software company, 1001-5000 employees)
We use MindManager in our teams in software development, sales, support, etc. The focus is on structuring topics (collecting and organizing ideas), meetings (agenda, MoM, ...) and generating documents from maps. We recently developed an interface (MindManager AddIn) to our Business Process Management System (BPM) to generate and link tasks and workflows directly from maps. MindManager provides appropriate interfaces that allow integration into the company's applications. We have been using MindManager since the early 2000s, sporadically at first, but in the meantime the tool has become established, not least because of its integration into our business applications.
Pros
Creating Meeting Agendas and MoMs
Developing and discussing concepts
Structuring and generating documentation
ad-hoc collcetion of ideas (for later revision)
Visualizing status information
Cons
The user interface still has a few bugs or imperfections (node selection, visualization when editing nodes, ...)
No direct PDF export (I remember there was one exporting an interactive PDF by an AddIn?)
The spell check has always been inadequate
Likelihood to Recommend
Mindmanager is perfect in (re-)structuring information and visualizing it in a handsome style.However, task management and resource management are hardly suitable for real project management. At this point, we use interfaces to our own tools in our IT landscape. The visualization of planning and status information, fed from external sources, is then again very flexible.
Maps should move, interact, and show the branches alternatively... Play mode
The software should be more proactive. Ask (prompt) the ideas automatically.
Once the idea is written, it should automatically open to write the children concepts.
Ask the user if the map should start presenting itself in 3D mode or 2D mode showing all the concepts interactively.
USE AI to create an interactive map.
Likelihood to Recommend
Collaboration is not very easy (6) Nice presentation of maps - not good (4) Hard to use (4) Not interactive (3) Only 2D (2) Not using AI (3) I am using a range from 1 to 10.
I use MM as a mystery author to help outline my novels by act (Act 1, Act 2, Act 3) initially. Then I break each act down into more detail on the MM. Finally, I use MM to help me get "unstuck" on plot points and to help me pull together various plot points/events for the conclusion. I've been using MM for outlining for at least 20 years.
Pros
Outlining
Connecting/organizing similar items/ideas, etc.
Helping me stay focused on the big picture of my novel instead of getting lost in the minutia.
Helping me move from the big picture to the details when I need to.
Organizing my daily/weekly/monthly/annual work projects.
Cons
Lower the price!!
Likelihood to Recommend
I love to outline in MM and its ability to link related maps. Great help to me as a writer! I don't love the export of the outlines. Needs to be a cleaner, simpler look. I work around it, though. I rated the above question 6 only because it's too expensive. I've had it for years and, until recently, got almost every upgrade. I can't afford it now and may have to look for an alternative to keep updated software. Bummer!
Well, I use MindManager for everything, for example, 1. Konwledge management 2. Summaries creation 3. Decision making 4. Planning 5. Organization 6. Task and project management 7. Preparation of articles and books I am going to publish 8. Analyzing information 9. Database design 10. Website design
Pros
Organizing information
Analyzing information
Preparing academic information to publish
Brainstorming
Cons
Work with academic information related to mathematics, geometry, physics, chemistry.
Include symbolic manipulation of equations using LaTeX or otherwise
Embed SQLite databases as attachments or otherwise, This could allow to store different versions of maps and many othe possibilities.
Finish onece for all the documentation of the MindManager API
Allow the possibility of working with the documented version of the API using Python
Add AI capabilities to MindManager
Automate the generation of mind maps from PDF files.
Acces to Large Language Models from MindManager
Include in MindManager the possibility of analysing YouTube videos using AI
And many others..-
Likelihood to Recommend
Less appropriate - Academic work (because of the problem of not being able to manage equations or maths and physics in general, formulae in chemistry) - Very high problematic automation of mind maps using the API
Org charts Flow Charts Brainstorming Meeting prep and management Process Design
Pros
Building sales processes
Collaborative planning
Organizing detailed projects with work breakdown, costs, dependencies and assignments
Cons
Add integration for MS Office and Apple ical (and other project management apps) for managing project milestones.
Likelihood to Recommend
- best flowchart app on the market - best org chart option-especially powerful with filter capabilities! - Sales stakeholder visualization maps I have built using this are one-of-a-kind
VU
Verified User
Vice-President in Sales (Computer Software company, 51-200 employees)
I use MindManager for brainstorming and organising ideas during consulting projects.It helps me create project plans, define tasks, and set deadlines. I rely on MindManager for strategic planning, evaluating options, and making informed decisions. I use it to manage and document knowledge, including meeting notes and linked resources and presentations to stakeholders. The feedback I receive from peers and customers is that my presentations provide greater context, and flow better than typical powerpoint presentations.
Pros
presentations
timelines
requirements gathering and notes (I love the export to HTML page for exporting my notes to customers)
Cons
look and feel, 23 refresh was ok, but still feels like it needs a refresher.
dragging nodes to another area on the mind map can be a bit clunky
power filters are nice, but I seem to constantly have to set Options so the entire tree isn't hidden when filtering against an paricular icon.
Likelihood to Recommend
Well Suited: Idea generation and organising thoughts / notes during requirements gathering sessions or meetings. Presentations to effectively communicate ideas or visualising project charters Facilitating strategic planning and decision making through visual mapping. Creation of timelines, centralising information with linked resources - which is useful for escalations Less Appropriate: Real-time collaboration requiring simultaneous editing of a single mind map - always found authentication was a bit to cumbersome to setup when stored in sharepoint. I haven't tried it any other way. Project management, imo it's better to open up Project or more specialised tools for visualising things like dependencies and allocations. Technical diagrams and modeling best left to specialised tools, but the 23 update somewhat address' this with more functionality in this space.
VU
Verified User
Consultant in Professional Services (Computer Software company, 51-200 employees)
MindManager is the easiest way for me to brainstorm with other colleagues and bring our ideas to life through visualization techniques. We are able to collaborate seamlessly and roadmap new projects, from concept to completion.
Pros
It captures and structures our information so that we don't lose sight of the important details.
We are able to connect broad swathes of data and information to help keep us focused on the most important issues at stake.
We can see at-a-glance where our time and effort need to be allocated.
Cons
To date I haven't found any holes in the solution set—I'm impressed!
Likelihood to Recommend
It is best suited for teams that must work closely together on projects. I've found it particularly useful during the pandemic because the remote collaboration tools are incredible. From small, fast-turn projects to long-haul projects, it's been very useful in keeping us on track.
I've tried most mind mapping tools, and MindManager is among the best. It helps me with organizing my thoughts for project planning and product development. I dabbled with the co-editing feature as a partner wanted to brainstorm some products with it, and it's very robust for both solo users and teams.
Pros
The co-editing feature makes collaborating with others a delight.
Seems to be the most polished and feature-rich of all the mind mapping tools I've tried.
Very flexible handles many different project types for various needs and goals.
Cons
The pricing is a little high for solo users compared to other mind mapping tools, but the functionality justifies the cost.
The Android app didn't let me edit my maps last time I tried to use it, would be nice to edit on the go.
Would be nice if non-paying users could co-edit maps.
Likelihood to Recommend
MindManager is amazing for brainstorming, collecting related ideas and resources, structuring thoughts, ideas, and processes, and planning projects. There are plenty of other uses as well, but it can almost be overwhelming to figure out all the possible use-cases. It's also a great tool for collaborating on projects with others remotely.
