Method for generating ideas – clustering
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2025 6:19 am
Clustering is very similar to mind mapping (they could be fraternal twins), but different. Mind mapping is very structured and I have described in detail in another blog post how I use mind maps to write my blog posts. I think mind mapping is great, but it is not really suitable for generating ideas. Hence clustering. How do you go about it?
With clustering, you also put your problem in the middle of a sheet of paper that is as large as possible. Then you write your ideas on "branches" that you draw across the sheet from this center. If you think of something for a "branch", you draw a new "sub-branch" from there and write the idea on it. You add similar ideas to the appropriate main branches. Over estonia telegram screening time, your sheet will fill up more and more. With additional (colored) lines and circles, you can also create connections between branches that are further away and label them if necessary.
I prefer to use clustering with paper and pens, similar to mind mapping, although I have two great programs that I could work with. For mind mapping I use (if at all) XMind , for clustering (sometimes) Scapple . You have to try out whether the technology helps you or hinders you. Incidentally, I learned about clustering in the book "Garantiert schreiben lernen" by Gabriele L. Rico , which is unfortunately only available second-hand.
With clustering, you also put your problem in the middle of a sheet of paper that is as large as possible. Then you write your ideas on "branches" that you draw across the sheet from this center. If you think of something for a "branch", you draw a new "sub-branch" from there and write the idea on it. You add similar ideas to the appropriate main branches. Over estonia telegram screening time, your sheet will fill up more and more. With additional (colored) lines and circles, you can also create connections between branches that are further away and label them if necessary.
I prefer to use clustering with paper and pens, similar to mind mapping, although I have two great programs that I could work with. For mind mapping I use (if at all) XMind , for clustering (sometimes) Scapple . You have to try out whether the technology helps you or hinders you. Incidentally, I learned about clustering in the book "Garantiert schreiben lernen" by Gabriele L. Rico , which is unfortunately only available second-hand.