Overview
Mindmup can help you break a project into smaller parts, organize tasks and ideas, and create a visual plan that is easy to review and update.
A simple project-planning workflow is:
Define the project → break it into parts → organize tasks → add details → show relationships → review and refine.
You can start with a high-level project goal and gradually add the details as your plan develops. You don't need to build the entire structure before you begin.
1. Start with the project goal
Create a new map and use the root node for the main project, goal, or outcome.
For example:
Launch a new company website
This gives the rest of the map a clear starting point.
2. Break the project into major areas
Add child nodes for the main parts of the project.
For example:
Launch a new company website
- Content
- Design
- Development
- Testing
- Launch
These branches provide a high-level view of the work involved.
3. Break larger areas into smaller tasks
Continue adding child nodes to divide each area into more specific tasks.
For example:
Content
- Write homepage copy
- Prepare product descriptions
- Review existing content
- Add SEO metadata
Breaking larger areas into smaller pieces makes the project easier to understand and work through.
4. Organize the plan as it develops
As you add tasks, move and rearrange nodes to create a structure that makes sense.
You can add sibling nodes for tasks at the same level and child nodes when a task needs to be broken down further.
If your project develops in a different direction, you can restructure the map without having to start over.
5. Add details to individual tasks
Use Notes to add information that would make the main map too crowded.
For example, a task can include additional information about requirements, instructions, resources, or other context in its Notes.
You can also add images, files, and links when supporting material is useful for a particular part of the project.
6. Show relationships between tasks
Not every relationship in a project fits neatly into the map hierarchy.
When two tasks or ideas are related but belong to different branches, use Add connection to show the relationship.
For example, a testing task may be connected to a development task in another branch.
Connections can help you see relationships that aren't obvious from the hierarchy alone.
7. Review the project plan
Once you've built the initial structure, review the map as a whole.
Look for:
- Areas that need to be broken down further
- Tasks that belong together
- Missing steps or information
- Relationships between different parts of the project
- Branches that contain unnecessary or repeated information
Fold branches when you want to focus on a particular part of the project, or zoom out to review the overall structure.
8. Keep the plan updated
A project plan can change as work progresses. Update the map when tasks are added, removed, or reorganized.
Because the plan is a visual structure, you can continue expanding or restructuring it as the project develops.
Example use cases
- Planning a website project
Start with the website launch as the root node and create branches for content, design, development, testing, and launch. Expand each branch into the specific work required.
- Organizing an event
Use the event as the root node and create branches for venue, program, participants, promotion, logistics, and follow-up. Add individual tasks and supporting details beneath each area.
- Planning a research project
Start with the research goal, then organize the map around research questions, methodology, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Add notes and supporting resources where needed.
- Planning a team project
Use the project goal as the root node and break the work into major areas and smaller tasks. Use notes and connections to provide additional context and show relationships between different parts of the plan.
Tips
- Start with the big picture
Begin with the project's main goal and major areas before breaking everything into smaller tasks. This makes it easier to see how the pieces fit together.
- Break complex work into smaller pieces
If a task is difficult to understand or act on, consider breaking it into smaller child nodes.
- Keep the main map concise
Use short node titles and put longer explanations or supporting information in Notes.
- Review the structure regularly
As the project changes, review the map and reorganize it when necessary. A project plan doesn't have to remain in its original structure.
Related features
- How to Add Topics
- How to Move, Rearrange, Nest, Copy and Paste Topics
- How to Select Topics
- How to Fold and Unfold Topics
- How to Add Notes
- How to Connect Topics
- How to Add Images
- How to Attach Files
Ready to start planning? Create a new map, add your project goal as the root node, and start breaking the work into smaller tasks and areas. You can organize and expand the map as your project develops.