Expansion of Existing Map to Capture More Knowledge

Continued from: Guided by Templates - Fast and Secured Problem Solving

Our organized and beautified mind-map forms the foundation for future addition of knowledge. When we acquire new knowledge, we should add them to our existing map. Having a foundation allows us to validate the new knowledge.

Does the new knowledge extends our understanding?

• Just adding new branches to existing ones.
• Break a branch into more sub-branches with our refined understanding

Does it conflict with our existing knowledge?

• Re-classify our existing map to reflect new understanding. May be a paradigm shift that we need to change a major of our map.
• Delete some existing branches since new knowledge tells us we have been wrong.
• May be the new knowledge is wrong when we consider the bigger picture of our knowledge. 
• We may need to ask more questions about the new knowledge.

Here is mind-map:

We now apply what we learned to the "Future of Singapore" that started this series of posts.

The "Future of Singapore Brainstorm with Youth" Expanded
Using the illustration that started this series on mind-mapping, here is the expanded version that I included the suggestions from the comment posted.

The following are changed made:

1. I added a main-topic called "Suggestions" and put in the suggestions (keeping them as short as possible) and tagging it with the names of the suggesters. 
2. I also inserted a grouping branch to classify the suggestions. e.g. "Go Online" to include 3 suggestions, "Include PRs" to capture the essence of the suggestion.
3. Another main-topic on "Action Plan" where the suggester Guan Hock Teo make important contributions that deserved a proper follow-up on.
4. Add a suggestion to an existing branch "Economic Arguments" that was originally blank.
5. Added "Continued Action & Learning" by a suggester to the "Collaboration Platform" branch so that it is next to the "Action?" branch. I should also have a link from "Action?" branch to the main-topic "Action Plan" so that we can follow the action into a major issue that we want to address further on.

Conclusions:

By now, I hope you can see the power of mind-mapping with a software tools. It will help create of knowledge base that is usable at the time of needs to help you make better decisions, solve problems or generate new ideas. You also have a good base from which to extend or validate the wealth of information that is hitting you everyday.

The key skill that you need to handle this information overload is to have the mind-mapping skill to organize your acquired knowledge that is adaptable and extensible as well.

All the very best in your attempt to master the skill of organizing the your own personal knowledge. (Google is about organizing the knowledge of the world and making them easily accessible to you).

Help us and others by posting your comments here about your learning in mind-mapping.

The What and How of Mind Mapping Series:

1. Brain Storming with Mind Mapping - Illustrated with Future of Singapore
2. Mind Mapping Made Easy - Follow Your Thoughts & Heart 
3. Re-Organizing Your Map where Real Learning Starts
4. Beautifying Your Maps to Create Gestalt - Ease of Understanding
   
5. Guided by Templates - Fast and Secured Problem Solving
6. Expansion of Existing Map to Capture More Knowledge

Lim Liat copyrighted June 2011