MindManager task management overview and relevant add ins

A client contacted me recently and asked for some guidance on how to manage his task list with MindManager. So I prepared an overview of the options in a MindManager map – Task Management Overview. It summarises what you can do with MindManager (Windows version mostly), Mindjet Tasks, Microsoft Office and Add Ins.

• Desktop Alone
• Desktop & Mindjet Tasks
• Desktop & Outlook
• Desktop & MS Project
• Desktop & Excel
• Addins – for Excel and “Getting Things Done“

The overview doesn’t answer the client’s question it just shows the options from having a single map, through to interacting with Mindjet Tasks or Outlook, to exporting and importing from Excel and MS Project, to using add ins from the simple: My Things, to the complex: Results Manager.

The generic answer to managing your tasks (and other peoples tasks) successfully with MindManager is:

1. Pick an option
2. Define a process
3. Stick to it for a week or a month
4. Has it achieved your objectives?
   1. Yes – Repeat
   2. No – Why not? Look for an option that fills the gap
5. Be prepared to compromise. The only software that will fully satisfy your requirements is one you write yourself! Commissioning someone else to write it is unlikely to satisfy you.  Admit you haven’t got the time or money to do that and make the best of what you can get off the shelf.

30 years ago I had a Commodore Pet which ran a chemical factories planned maintenance management system in Liverpool. It didn’t do things the way we “wanted” to but after a year even the most unionised technician on my staff was happy to have it on his bench.  It gave him a defined process, a database that was easy to edit, a range of reports and made his life easier. One of the options in the map will do it for you to.

Please download the MindManager map to see the details: Task Management Overview

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