Mind Mapping Software Resembles Brackets, Family Tree

Mindjet mind-mapping software, called MindManager is designed to help individuals and groups manage their ideas in a mind-mapping format, not as text files, spreadsheets or slide shows.

Microsoft includes mind-mapping tools in its Visio products. Some free open-source mind-mapping programs include FreeMind, Labyrinth, PlanFacile and VYM (View Your Mind). Proprietary mind-mapping software is sold by ConceptDraw, Inspiration Software and others.

Users just type in their ideas, which the software then structures in a way that resembles the completed brackets for an NCAA college basketball tournament. Outlines of ideas are turned into maps that look like family trees, with branches and sub-branches of information. Branches can be dragged across the screen into various positions in order to visualize new relationships.