Since starting my new gig at Schneider, I've been working diligently on 3 areas of competency that I want to enhance. Managment (of associates), Discipline & time management, and Framework for problem solving. Considering that I need the latter to properly attack the 2 former, I've spent a lot of time researching what tools one can use to 'get the job done' when it comes to achieving goals, overcoming issues, and solving problems.

In the past couple of months, I have written out countless mind maps as the genesis for solutions on almost every problem or issue I have encountered. I have never had so much clarity in solving problems as I have while using such an intuitive tool for problem solving. Below are some of the resources that can help you to get started, but the point of mind mapping is just to sit down & do it.

http://www.mind-map.com/EN/mindmaps/definition.html

http://www.mind-map.com/EN/mindmaps/how_to.html

http://www.jcu.edu.au/studying/services/studyskills/mindmap/index.html

The second tool that has been indispensible has been the KnowBrainer from SolutionPeople of Chicago. They call it an 'accelerated innovation tool' but I call it my project meeting lifeline. I never leave for a meeting without it. I take most of my probing questions from it, and I evaluate most of my solutions against it. In short, it's become and essential tool in my process improvement teams. The tool costs $100, but it's worth every penny, and SolutionPeople will refund your money if you don't get the ROI back from it. When you think about it, people spend money on expensive software, useless books, and other non-portable tools that never really help you get the job done.

Check out how the KnowBrainer works...

You sold me!