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Exercises/Relationship Mapping/Collaborative mind map
Relationship Mapping

Collaborative mind map

Explain what a mind map is and how it can be used to explore and organize ideas.

5 to 15 minutesTIME
Medium group (9-25)GROUP SIZE
ActiveENERGY
In person, RemoteSETTING
High cognitive loadCOGNITIVE LOAD
Strengthens Network Design This relationship mapping exercise strengthens Network Design, one of the eight Gathering Effectiveness pillars.

How to run it

  1. Explain what a mind map is and how it can be used to explore and organize ideas.
  2. Describe the central topic and the activity’s objective, such as:
  3. Write the central topic in the middle of the designated space (paper, whiteboard, or digital tool).
  4. Draw lines radiating from the center to connect subtopics.
  5. Invite participants to propose concepts, keywords, or subtopics related to the central theme.
  6. Note each idea on a line or node connected to the main topic.
Live facilitator

Run this exercise live

The facilitator console stays in this browser. Its QR handoff is a short-lived participant snapshot containing only public exercise instructions, phase, prompt, and timer state.

Prompts to use +

Explain what a mind map is and how it can be used to explore and organize ideas.

Write the central topic in the middle of the designated space (paper, whiteboard, or digital tool).

Draw lines radiating from the center to connect subtopics.

Invite participants to propose concepts, keywords, or subtopics related to the central theme.

Note each idea on a line or node connected to the main topic.

Run this with your AI assistant +

Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or your own local model: paste this prompt and your AI will co-facilitate this exercise with you.

Adapt this exercise for my exact room. Exercise: Collaborative mind map. Readiness: Publishable Draft. Core moves: Explain what a mind map is and how it can be used to explore and organize ideas.; Write the central topic in the middle of the designated space (paper, whiteboard, or digital tool).; Draw lines radiating from the center to connect subtopics.; Invite participants to propose concepts, keywords, or subtopics related to the central theme.. Return a concise facilitator script with timing, wording, safety notes, and remote/in-person adjustments.

Origin unverified

  • Where we observed it: The strongest current observations come from Participatory Methods; aggregators are listed as additional observations, not origin proof. (1 source observed, including Participatory Methods.)
  • What that means: we track where an exercise has been observed in public sources. We do not claim to know who created it, or how popular it is.
  • No efficacy claims: appearing in this library is not a claim that the exercise is proven effective. Facilitator judgment and context decide whether it works for a given room.
  • Corrections: if you have evidence of an earlier or more accurate source, read our methodology and trust boundary and tell us.

Pairs well with