Mind Mapping: Pen & Paper vs Software

A lot of people ask my opinion on whether they should use mind mapping software instead of pen and paper.  In most cases I usually recommend the person stick with pen and paper.  In all the time I have been mind mapping I have very rarely used any mind mapping software.  I have tried various software packages, but I haven’t found the need to rush out and buy any of the commercial options or use any of the open source solutions available.

There is a place for each way of mind mapping, but it should be down to what works best for you.  Let’s look at some positives for each type of mind mapping.

Pen & Paper

When I first started mind mapping, there was no software options available.  Also my family didn’t own a computer.  Since then I have always stuck with pen and paper and here’s some reasons why:

  1. Life span – 90% of my mind maps are only used for a few hours and then discarded.  I don’t need somewhere to store them long term.
  2. Location – Portable computing has come along way, but it still can’t beat pen and paper.  You don’t need battery life or an internet connection.  As long as you have your preferred pen and notepad, you can mind map anywhere.
  3. Flexibility – With pen and paper I am unlimited in the mind maps that I can create.  Even the latest software packages of today are still limited in the style of mind maps that they can create.

Software

The mind mapping software available today has only just reached a stage where they are getting close to the complete freedom you get with paper, but having a digital mind map does have other advantages:

  1. Time – The time required to create a complete mind map using pen and paper is more than the time required to do the same mind map using software.  Also, mind mapping with software can be really quick if you take the time to learn the shortcut keys.
  2. Flexibility – If you have a mind map that you use often as a reference sheet, it can’t be easily expanded unless you have left the room for it.  With mind mapping software you can always be guaranteed that there will be room for expansion.
  3. Collaboration – This is perhaps the biggest advantage over pen and paper.  The ability to collaborate with fellow work colleagues on a project means that you can have lots of people working and contributing to a single mind map.  This is where the key advantage lies in mind mapping software.

So we can see that pen and paper would probably work best for individuals and software is great for teams, but what about you?

Decision Time

If you still can’t decide then try experimenting with both.  Use one month to exclusively mind map using pens and paper.  At the end of the month write down your thoughts on using this way of mind mapping.  Did your maps take too long?  Maybe you liked the portability of pen and paper.

For the next month, mind map exclusively using a software package you like.  Open source solutions are free to download and most of the commercial packages offer trials periods that should last the month.  At the end of the month write down your thoughts on using software for mind mapping.  Did you like the ability to create maps quickly?  Maybe you felt confined in the style of maps you can create.

Now compare the notes for each way of mind mapping.  You should be able to decide on a way of mind mapping that works best for you.

Lastly, I’m not advocating that you stick to one way of mind mapping over an another.  This is about which way you feel better with, which way works best for you.  If you feel both options offer advantages then use both!  In my experience, I have known people who use both, but generally prefer one way over another.

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Related Articles:

  1. Mind Maps for Informed Decision Making
  2. Starting off with Mind Maps
  3. Using Habits To Improve Your Mind Mapping Techniques
  4. Mind Mapping Links – June 2009

11 Comments

John Gray  on July 30th, 2008

I agree with you Matt on not having the same freedom with software as you do with pen and paper. With pen and paper you get to be more right brain creative which you do n’t get with the software, with the software I feel I tend to be more logical. With the pen and paper, intially it was overcoming my initial lack of confidence in my drawing abilities that held me back however the recommendation by Buzan to create 100 mind maps using the mind mapping laws before you start to ‘evolve’ your own map style helped to overcome that

Andrew Wilcox  on July 30th, 2008

Its all about purpose. For personal and Team (on the wall) brainstorming pen and paper are great. However I use MindManager every day to interconnect information, run my business, produce web sites, record and publish meetings, and brainstorm.

The Tablet PC reduces but does not close the gap between pen & paper with an application like MindManager .

Don’t get me wrong they are both great tools but they have different purposes and strengths.

The key comment above for non-users of either or both types of mapping is to try it for a month, a week is too short. Then make a judgement about when to use neither or mind map or software.

Matthew  on July 30th, 2008

@John – A persons perception that they can’t draw is one of the main reasons why people don’t do it. To encourage people to mind map, you need to let them develop their own style.

@Andrew – Yes a week is too short. Trialling each method means that you can get a clearer view of the good and bad points of each type of mind mapping. Good to hear from everyday users of both methods.

Tim Fulford  on March 20th, 2009

I use software and pens and paper. I like both and I can draw!
However have you thought about combining the two? I use templates or structures and then add my own addition branches and images. I don’t like clip art and enjoy drawing. Currently I am building up a collection of my own graphics which I am using with iMindMap the very best software. Have a look at this post on my blog http://destech.wordpress.com/2008/12/
Tim

Matthew  on March 20th, 2009

Great idea Tim! I’ve never thought to combine the two before. For things like weekly planner and project management templates would provide the basic foundations of the mind map and allow the user to get creative with the rest of it.

I was a MindManager user, but recently I have been using iMindMap more and more. It’s provides a greater mind map feel with it’s organic branches.

Paul  on April 15th, 2009

I love to do hand drawn maps althouhg i have not tried the software yet. I love the freedom of drawing the letters and words my way nad drawing icons. I guess this comes from many years experience in the creative arts and as a graphic recorder. My mind maps tend to become more like graphic recordings with glyphs, images, colour, bold and inventive lettering and innovative icons and illustration!

It is really awesome fun to graph a few pens and my sketch book while reading an article or watching a video or speaker and go hell for leather!

I don’t see the software having anywhere the creative freedom of hand drawn maps and this is what mind maps is all about not being restricted and letting the thoughts flow!

Paul Telling -
Creative Communications Creator and Graphic Facilitator
Pauls Site

Matthew  on April 15th, 2009

It’s always good to hear from people who prefer the more creative way of mind mapping!

I think both methods have their place, but I do prefer hand drawn mind maps as they have more personality to them.

If your interesting in seeing some high quality mind maps Paul, then I suggest you check out MindMapArt.

LMS  on May 12th, 2009

Personally I feel the software is much better. In few minutes you can get your mind map done and errors are very much less. it certainly does improve productive as well.

Fountain Pen Club  on May 13th, 2009

Software is great, but I think the most effective way of mind mapping must be done manually, meaning it should be hand written. That way your more comfortable in expressing what you need to map, don’t get me wrong software’s are great. But just not as effective as done by hand..

dh  on May 16th, 2009

What would be great is a way to incorporate hand drawn into mind mapping software for graphic recording or facilitation, with the full quality of the drawing (and the sense of inclusion and visual association it evokes in participants) and the flexibility and usefulness of the software. Maybe this could be done by tracing the mind map over the graphics then sending the layer back. I suppose it could be done in software, but I’m not aware that anyone has yet. I also find that no computer program can do “hand drawn”, and you deprive the participants of the kinesthetic experience, which also leads to creativity – not to mention a sense of ownership.

Matthew  on May 18th, 2009

@LMS – Mind mapping software does allow you to create mind maps faster, but mind mapping shouldn’t be viewed as something that is done in a small amount of time.

@dh – I don’t think that mind mapping software applications will be able to fully re-create the experience of paper mind maps, but they’re making steady progress.

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