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Using "mind mapping" software for process mapping
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Posted by Derek Cornish
Oct 19, 2006 at 10:44 PM
After grappling with Visio (which I have never liked using) and rejecting SmartDraw as too expensive, I’ve recently been looking at mind mapping tools as another way of drawing process maps (essentially flow diagrams) of step-by-step decision-making activities.
Why mind-mapping software rather than conventional flow diagram ones? Partly because of the discussions in this forum which made me realise that the mind-mapping rubric is fairly elastic (aka vague) and covers software with a variety of uses. Also, apart from the cost angle - mind-mapping software tends to be somewhat cheaper - there is also the bonus of getting programs with more versatile feature sets, too.
Essentially, I’m looking for something a little more polished than my existing Inspiration v7.5 - although that more-or-less does the job I’m after. CRIMP aside (is it ever?), this has taken me on a trawl through the various mind mapping/concept mapping programs mentioned here. It seems to me that some of the software is more comfortable with the traditional mind-mapping diagram approach (central idea with radials) than with flow-diagrams. But as I am a complete novice, it may be that I am just not exploiting all their features.
I had thought that VisiMap might be one such possibility, but I’m currently leaning towards Mind Manager (expensive, though) and Mind-Pad. Both seem to cater for flow-diagrams as well as mind-maps. Whether they will offer enough to justify adding them to Inspiration, though, is another matter.
I’d be glad to hear other people’s suggestions or comments on what they use for making flow-diagrams/mapping processes.
Derek
Posted by Graham Smith
Oct 19, 2006 at 11:16 PM
Derek
>After grappling with Visio (which I have never liked using) and rejecting SmartDraw
>as too expensive, I’ve recently been looking at mind mapping tools as another way of
>drawing process maps (essentially flow diagrams) of step-by-step decision-making
>activities.
Can I suggest RFFlow as being well worth a look http://www.rff.com/
This is a very versatile flow diagram program but at $49 it really deserves being looked at.
Graham
Posted by Wes Perdue
Oct 19, 2006 at 11:37 PM
Derek,
The best tool in my arsenal for process mapping is Axon Idea Processor, available at http://web.singnet.com.sg/~axon2000/ . At $135, it’s not cheap, but it’s very powerful. It seems to have a loyal following, and the discussions in the Yahoo group are often very helpful for finding the power hidden within Axon. The group can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/axon-users/
It’s not an open group, but the moderator allowed me in while I was evaluating Axon.
- Wes
Posted by Derek Cornish
Oct 20, 2006 at 06:15 AM
Graham -
After I wrote my message I thought about digging out my old WIN3.1 copy of RFFlow. I had no idea that it was still being developed. I’ll certainly take a look. I might even be able to get an upgrade if I can find my licence details.
Derek
Posted by Derek Cornish
Oct 20, 2006 at 06:20 AM
Wes -
I’ll certainly bear Axon in mind for the future. I’m under some time constraints for the current project, though, so given the program’s complexity I’d better go with something simpler. I’ve trialled Axon in the past, but not its process mapping, so once I’ve got something workable for the current project I can try out something fancier with Axon. Thanks.
Derek