Java update for mac el capitan. X Mind has been singled out for praise online for its clear focus on business users, as well as its minimalist interface which allows for easy mind map creation through a series of templates.

PCMag Content Writer The Best Mind Mapping Software of 2018 Mind mapping helps teams do more than simply collaborate. These software solutions help with ideation, planning, and most importantly, execution. We test and compare ten top contenders. The Emerging Mind Mapping Software Category If your teams and key creative workers are getting bogged down by an increasing workload of rote tasks or maybe simply swamped by too much information in this new world of interconnected then mind mapping software might be able to help. These solutions focus on helping workers ideate, innovate, and even, eventually, execute. This review roundup focuses on leading mind mapping software solutions in overlapping subcategories.

None of the products in this category are name brands but most of them have impressive customer lists. At the low end, applications cost just a few dollars per user, and those costs extend to several hundred dollars for enterprise-worthy versions. Two products, Bloomfire and Front & Main Honey, emphasize aspects of traditional knowledge management approaches. Both products have a similar user experience (UX) to those of Facebook and Reddit.

You could think of these as social intranets, in other words. Their general use involves posting a series of, questions, or suggestions for colleagues' consideration. Colleagues, in turn, post answers and comments. Anyone can search for past discussion topics, and there's typically a way to 'like' and share the most useful threads.

For example, a product engineer could post an early draft of your company's latest widget to get department-wide feedback. A saleswoman could answer negotiation questions posed by junior staff or the entire team could have a discussion about their upcoming holiday party. Traditionally, such activities would happen by email or, at best, by using an intranet message board (if not physical memos). Modern software makes these tasks easier. Bloomfire has some integration with Salesforce Chatter. But we think the general opportunity for Bloomfire, Front & Main Honey, or similar products is limited to the extent that tech giants such as Facebook fail to make headway in selling private installations to businesses.

Three other products—Mindjet MindManager 2016 for Windows, Expert Software Applications Mindomo, and XMind—are designed with mind mapping as their main function. Such apps are a mixture of flow charting and tools. Among these three, XMind stands out for being based on an open-source platform. Take the same scenarios as stated earlier. Rather than just discussing company ideas in a social environment (perhaps with kludged diagrams), the mind mapping tools let colleagues consider every detail of a plan in a very formal way. They aren't nearly as fun but their structure is more appropriate for conservative corporations—which is to say, most offices, even if the social products are sexier. Expert Software Applications Mindomo is the Editors' Choice winner in this review roundup.

It has all of the same basic features as XMind and Mindjet MindManager 2016 for Windows, but also includes a basic level of social networking. It's pricey but not to an extent that would intimidate many organizations. Plus, it can ease a business into a more social decision-making mindset. What Is Mind Mapping? Image credit: Mind mapping is simply a visual way to convey your thoughts and ideas. As a concept, mind mapping is widely attributed to inventor who believes they are the best way to take notes. Buzan 'harnesses the full range of cortical skills—word, image, number, logic, rhythm, color and spatial awareness—in a single, uniquely powerful manner.'

In the book,,' co-author Buzan describes mind maps as 'being constructed in a colorful, tree-like fashion.' And in his article on, PCMag's Rob Marvin explains mind mapping as a 'visual means of organizing information, typically through a web-like diagram,' and describes ways in which project managers can use mind maps to visualize every moving part of their project workflow. Ideas for Improvement We have a few suggestions for how mind mapping products could be more even more useful; these suggestions center around adding artificial intelligence (AI) and wiki integration and beefing up security. In the social-first services, we think an interesting addition would be AI software that scans users' browsing, (CRM), email, and database activities to automatically suggest when useful information should be captured.