Aims
The need for speed
A solution
BrainBox

The aim of BrainBox is to enable people to visually generate and sort ideas using a combination of concept sorting, mind mapping and Edward DeBono DATT thinking, mixed with other sophisticated decision-making and accelerated learning techniques, such as scenario planning and soft systems analysis. As the main 'powertool' within the circle-of-excellence site, the following text explains the kinds of things you can use BrainBox to achieve...

In both business and education, there is an increasing pressure
to 'perform' and to perform 'quickly':

(1) People need to be able to absorb large amounts of information,
and understand how that information affects them

(2) Decision makers need to solve increasingly difficult problems,
as the business environment becomes ever more complex

(3) Work groups need to find ways to help improve communication
and understanding between colleagues

(4) Managers, sales staff and teachers need to find ways
to present information more effectively and intuitively

To meet these pressures, techniques are needed which make the most of each organisation's human resources. Techniques which help people to:

(1) Remember more information

(2) Use information more effectively
(Information needs to be useful knowledge,
rather than interesting trivia)

(3) Facilitate discussion and debate

(4) Communicate with greater clarity, in essays, projects and reports

One solution to the listed problems is to be found in the form of thought mapping. For several years, more and more researchers have been finding that the visual generation and sorting of ideas:

(1) Improves both memory and understanding

(2) Helps people to think creatively,
enabling them to produce a higher quality of work

(3) Supports group based decision making,
by providing a work group with a way to externalise and reflect
on the structure of the problem domain

(4) Provides feedback about what other people think,
so that it becomes more difficult for misunderstandings to arise

(5) Helps people to structure reports and talks,
so that they communicate more clearly, and thus, more effectively

However...

...thought mapping has posed a few problems,
even for those who are enthusiastic about it.

Research revealed the problems people have with mapping and indicated that many of those problems could be overcome by an appropriate use of computer technology:

(1) Presentation was an issue. Hand written maps look out of place next to word processed script. (Using a computer to generate both maps and text, documents can have a consistent feel to them)

(2) Mapping in discussion groups has been dogged by the difficulty of copying the map from a white board. (Using a computer makes it possible to get multiple print outs)

(3) Many people were unaware of how to make the most of thought mapping, and how to apply mapping to their own particular needs. (Using a computer, it is possible to integrate on-line information with a dynamic mapping medium, so that the benefits are maximised, while the effort is kept to a minimum)

In view of the benefits, which accrue from using a computer as a mapping tool, a computer based mapping application called BrainBox was developed. BrainBox is a utility based on a simple, yet powerful, mapping technique known as concept sorting.

Over time, the application has expanded to integrate concept sorting with many other forms of focussed thinking, from the techniques used in DeBono DATT to the techniques used in Soft System Analysis and Scenario Planning.

Thus, after several years development, BrainBox is now one of the most complete introductory resources available to those who want to use the power of thought mapping in their work - and thanks to EU funding, the resource is available for free to anyone with fast Internet access.

...try out the software that your colleagues report as being so useful to them...

...and let us know, when our work helps you to achieve more success...