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For better, not worse
PLANNING and organising is about getting the right things done in the right way at the right time. We can achieve better results through appropriate planning. Properly organised tasks help in solving our problems quickly and easily.
Software applications have solved many of our problems. In fact, there are a number of programs available which can help in organising different activities efficiently. These applications are collectively known as concept-making software.
Terms such as concept mapping, mind mapping, tree diagrams, organisation charts and spider diagrams are used to describe graphical organisation methods. These are used for storing, processing, organising and presenting information graphically.
A concept map is a diagram where each node contains an idea, concept or a question which are linked together by branches to show their relationship with one another. A concept map does not always have to take the form of a web — they can be presented as a tree diagram or an organisational chart, as an input or output tree or as a flow chart.
Structuring a linear piece of work can be made easy by enabling ideas and concepts easily rearranged in a map which concept mapping software can convert into a linear document or presentation. This can be done without having to worry about the sentence structure or grammar.
Concept mapping has been used for a while now to accomplish a number of tasks such as visualising a concept, time management, project planning, website development and decision-making.
Let’s take a look at some useful concept making applications.
MindGenius
This is a flexible mind-mapping program with an automatic brainstorming mode which enables the map to be viewed in a variety of layouts. Closely integrated to MS Office, it allows text outlines and images of maps to be easily imported and exported to many common applications as well as time and project management tools through MS Outlook.
MindMan
MindMan is an easy and quick way to create mind maps for many different purposes. Using its export features, you can embed mind maps in other documents. The latest version for Windows is available in English, French and German.
MoonLite
MoonLite is a special-purpose program that lets you produce ideas for generating extra income in your spare time and/or setting up or expanding your business with virtually no investment. It can also generate money-making ideas automatically, thanks to its AutoSuggest system.
ParaMind
ParaMind is a program that cures writer's block and stress-causing delays due to lack of direction. ParaMind is available in Windows, Mac and UNIX/Linux versions. The software has been specially designed to help creative minds, business people, technical specialists and writers of all kinds.
In short, ParaMind is a brainstorming program that operates on the principle of generating new text from what you have written.
Personal Best 3.1
This is a very special application that controls your time and your life with the ultimate organiser providing daily jokes, quotes, wisdom, ideas, learning and self-help. It also includes a digital diary, idea organiser, life planner, screen blanker and a reminder system.
Microsoft Powerpoint
Although the primary purpose of Powerpoint is to make presentations, the drawing tools in Powerpoint are also useful for sketching ideas, particularly in conjunction with the outlining mode.
Scriptware
Scriptware is an ideal word-processing program for scriptwriters (film, TV, theatre, video, etc). The official website of this application includes downloadable demo software for Windows and DOS only. The Mac version is in the development phase.
Axon Idea Processor
This program a sketchpad for visualising and organising ideas with a user-friendly interface specially designed for cognitive thinking. Idea processing is concerned with problems and solutions, questions and answers, unknowns and facts. The basis of Axon is the Prolog language – a popular tool for the world of artificial intelligence and cognitive sciences.
MasterPlanit
Lesson planning is the basis of good teaching. The process of teaching starts in the teacher’s home with the best possible lesson preparation, choice of methodology, structure of lesson material and the monitoring of success using tests and assignments. MasterPlanit is a lesson-planning software that helps in collecting learning material, using drag and drop and structures individual lessons in terms of both timing and content.
Mindjet MindManager Pro 6
This application transforms ideas, strategic thinking and business information into blueprints for action, enabling teams and organisations to work faster, smarter and with greater coordination. It extends core-mapping functionality with a host of simple tools – collaboration, distribution, administration – making it easy for business professionals to quickly deliver bottom line benefits enterprise-wide.
etaskMaker
This is a front-end project planning software that generates customised plans with detailed task descriptions. With eTaskMaker, you can develop detailed project plans in a fraction of the time. It also allows your company to standardise its estimating, planning and scheduling best practices across the enterprise while securing the data against theft. The software is the professional project planning tool for engineering, construction, shipyard/marine, petrochemical and refining companies.
Broderbund 3D Home Architect
Anyone with a dream and a computer can draw floor plans, house elevations, and stunning 3D pictures using the Broderbund 3D Home Architect program. The program can't take the place of an architect but can help you visualise your house.
Broderbund's 3D Home Design program lets you customise preset floor plans or create your own original.
Watershed Liveware
It’s an electronic book to bring innovation in the workplace. It is a self-paced tutorial aimed to help frontline employees to become more creative at work.
Corporate Memory Systems
A groupware tool that allows you to cluster and organise many kinds of related information and share it with your team members and other stakeholders in the process.
The application can be used to facilitate and capture information in live meetings and provide highly effective any-time, any- place virtual meetings that can replace a large percentage of face-to-face meetings.
ComedyWriter
A Microsoft Windows-based software program for creating humorous scenes, characters, situations, dialogue, expressions, and punch lines.
ComedyWriter can be used for film, television, theater, multimedia, speeches, presentations, cartoons and graphic arts, music, fiction, advertising, corporate roasts, training, and product development.
CreaPro
CreaPro, the Creative Problem Solver, is a general-purpose program containing creativity and problem solving techniques. It can be used by one person or a team.
Creator Studio
Creator Studio is a powerful computer aided creative thinking and problem solving software application. It is beneficial for professionals, inventors, product developers, organisations and students.
Decision Explorer
Decision Explorer is an idea management program designed as an aid to cognitive mapping. It also has applications in many other areas including Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS) and knowledge modelling (for expert systems).
Because of its ease of use, it is ideal for structuring essays and designing presentations.
DynoNotePad
The software that handles all the basic tasks but little else. DynoNotePad has a few neat features – phone-number dialing and the ability to record sounds directly into an outline entry.
Genius Handbook
The Genius Handbook Program is an efficient and organised way to solve problems using more than 60 powerful techniques. The descriptions identify characteristics of problems where a technique might be applicable; information on how to apply the techniques and examples from several specific domains to help in applying those techniques.
Grouputer
The Grouputer is a meeting room technology that transforms the way people meet, lifting the performance of people and the organisation.
It is designed for brainstorming, problem solving, team building, strategic planning and interactive learning.
The writer is a freelance contributor
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