Free Idea Maps Towards Agile Mapping

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Federico Gobbo [email protected] Dipartimento di Informatica e Comunicazione Universit`adegli Studi dell’Insubria Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Cognitive mapping history: origins

Information visualization studies and started in the francophone world in the late 1960s (Bertin, Piaget) and indipendently in the UK by Tony Buzan.

In the 1970s cognitive psychologists and US-scholars started to study psychological implication, applying concept maps into educational settings (Ausubel, Novak). Tony Buzan took PhD at the London School of Economics and then put ‘radiant thinking’ and ‘mind mapping’ under copyright. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Cognitive mapping history: now

In the late 1980s and in the 1990s mapping software entered the arena esp. for educational purposes – i.e. for creating lecture notes or for active studying – but not only: brainstorming, time management, life self-coaching, information management, etc. The Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) developed CmapTools, MindJet released MindManager for Buzan’s mind mapping.

After 2000 a lot of clones spread out, but always along the two main models – concept mapping (IHMC) vs. mind mapping (Buzan). Notable exception is the Compendium Institute, which developed a third way, i.e. conversational or dialog mapping, enabling groups to build shared knowledge – revealing collective intelligence. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Why cognitive mapping?

Empirical evidences. Our brain process complex information conveyed visually in a very eﬀective way, we typically identify visual patterns easier than not-visual (e.g. words as concepts). Forthermore, visual images can overcome language barriers.

Knowledge elicitation. Information visualization doesn’t merely communicate ideas but it actively, organizes, concises, and clariﬁes info chunks (Dawkins’ memes) revealing hidden patterns, gaining insights and discovering new ideas and relations.

Cognitive mapping is the ability to see and move through the “big picture” (Gestalt) as well as into details: thinking is considered as a complex adaptive system. i.e. informations grow and change maintain accuracy and relevance. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Assimilation and learning in cognitive psychology

Concept mapping started in 1972 in a research program about how children represent knowledge. Ausubel’s cognitive psychology, spread from Piaget’s, has at the core the idea of assimilation.

New concepts and propositions may be assimilated only if they ﬁnd a place into existing concept network, i.e. individual’s cognitive structure. In general, the introduction of a new concept inplies a reconﬁguration of the concept network for assimilation. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Concept map for collaborative and distance learning

Members of a social group share the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD, Vygotsky 1978), i.e. a social space where dialogue and cooperation can eﬀectively support learning with minimal aid from a tutor. Teachers are similar to coaches.

Concept maps started as a tool to externalize the cognitive structures behind ZPDs. Ausubel distinguish two ways to learn: rote learning vs. meaningful learning. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Learning in the constructive learning theory Ref: Novak-Ca˜nas(2006) on the theory and how to construct concept maps Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Maps, concepts, propositions and tagged arcs

Concept maps are graphical tools for organizing and representing knowledge.

• A concept is a ‘perceived regularity in events or objects, or records of events or objects, designated by a label’ (Novak-Ca˜nas 2006).

• A proposition is meaningful statement obtained connecting two or more concepts using linking words.

• Linking words are represented by tagged arcs. A basic concept map Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Hierarchical fashion and cross-linking

In concept maps, general concepts are at the top of the map and less general concepts are arranged hierarchically below.

Cross-links are links that put into relations concepts in diﬀerent segments or domains.

Note that in the previous map there were no cross-links, and the map itself was very simple indeed. A concept map on concept mapping Ref: Novak-Ca˜nas(2006) on the theory and how to construct concept maps Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

It works in well-structured knowledge domains

Learners evaluated by their concept maps are engaged into meaningful learning, Concept proved very helpful to avoid misconceptions in science and mathematics in education. CmapTools was used to prepare NASA material on Mars before the mission.

The epistemological foundation in concept mapping is semantic atomicity: with about 100 atoms you may have a great number of molecules; with appox. 460,000 words in English you may express a lot of sentences; analogously, with a not-too-great set of concepts you may express a lot of maps. The knowledge portfolio by NASA for MArs Exploration Ref: Novak-Cañas(2006) on the theory and how to construct concept maps 2. Then build a list of concept as a parking lot, as a set of Post-its. Avoid “sentences in the boxes”. 3. Organize your concepts in domains (horizontal axis) and in generality (vertical axis) and define the relations between them. 4. Refine your concept map adding cross-links. 5. Eventually link your concept map with previous ones, so to demonstrate that your understanding is not limited to a single concept map, i.e. build a Knowledge Model (Cañas2003).

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

How to build a concept map

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

How to build a concept map

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

How to build a concept map

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

How to build a concept map

1. Start from a Focus Question, i.e. it should cleary states the issue as an open problem or topic. Prefer “how” and “why” questions (descriptive and explicative) to “what” or “who” ones (prescriptive and classificatory). If the problem/topic is very hard, let an expert in the field prepare an “expert skeleton” map. 2. Then build a list of concept as a parking lot, as a set of Post-its. Avoid “sentences in the boxes”. 3. Organize your concepts in domains (horizontal axis) and in generality (vertical axis) and define the relations between them. 4. Refine your concept map adding cross-links. 5. Eventually link your concept map with previous ones, so to demonstrate that your understanding is not limited to a single concept map, i.e. build a Knowledge Model (Cañas2003). A parking lot spread from a focus question... Ref: Novak-Cañas(2006) on the theory and how to construct concept maps ..and an expert skeleton map Ref: Novak-Cañas(2006) on the theory and how to construct concept maps Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Evaluation

With over two decades of research experience, concept maps proved to be eﬀective in constructive learning settings, esp. about hard science topics. E.g. in Italy Giuseppe Valitutti is translating into Italian the World of Science books with pupils of elementary schools.

Concept mapping is not an easy task, as everything in the map is meaningful. Furthermore, deﬁning the parking lot of concepts before their relations may be diﬃcult for people used to think simultaneously in a “concepts-in-context” way. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Dialog maps as solutions to wicked problems

Compendium is based on the conversational or dialog mapping approach and derived from Issue-Based Information System (IBIS). Horst Rittel developed IBIS in the 1970s as a method to solve wicked problems.

Unlike tame problems, in the case of wicked problems the problem solving approach doesn’t ﬁt.

Links (arcs) may be tagged as in the concept map approach. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Dialog maps as group support

Dialog mapping is particulary useful in groups, i.e. supporting the continous dialogue among stakeholders in the problem in order to reframe.

Every misunderstanding or disagreement should be reframed as an issue or in an inquiry, avoiding the Answer Reflex (the loop question-justification). The Answer Reflex...

Question Justiﬁcation ...is broken by Ideas...

Idea

Question Justiﬁcation ...and Justiﬁcations become Arguments!

Idea

Question Argument Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

How to reframe Questions...

As in the concept map approach, conversations in IBIS start from a root Question, which may be decomposed in sub-Questions. Questions should be:

1. clear, short, neutral (no “not”), unique (no “and” and “or”); 2. of the “wh” type or “how” (no “yes/no” questions); Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

...placing Ideas...

Ideas are proposals for resolution of Questions. They should be practical and small (Ideas Network).

They are linked to Questions. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

...in order to obtain Arguments

Arguments may either support (Pros) or object (Cons) Ideas.

Arguments are linked to Ideas. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Questions, Idea, Arguments “The Bohr model of the rhetoric atom”

• Questions • Ideas • Arguments • Pros • Cons Look at the right-click menu: nodes are typiﬁed Pros and cons of dialog mapping through Compendium A dialog map on dialog map evaluation Compendium GUI prefers multiple mapping instead of expand/collapse

This screenshot was made by the author in order to choose the best cognitive mapping software for ESSAP 2006 Be evocative.

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Mind mapping is fast and easy

A mind map is a tree structure of keywords and they relations. It has a radiant shape and is much more rich in colours, pictures, and drawings compared with concept or dialog maps.

Human brains recognize shapes and drawings better than words and numbers, so if you want to remember ideas give them a good look. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Mind mapping is fast and easy

A mind map is a tree structure of keywords and they relations. It has a radiant shape and is much more rich in colours, pictures, and drawings compared with concept or dialog maps.

Human brains recognize shapes and drawings better than words and numbers, so if you want to remember ideas give them a good look.

Be evocative. Mind mapping is a “human universal” (Brown, 1999) A mind map by Charles Darwin on evolution (Buzan-Buzan, 2000 A mind map may be well drawn... A mind map about the ideal job (Buzan-Buzan, 2000) ..or without words! A mind map about love (Buzan-Buzan, 2000) A mind map about study tips This mind map was made by MindManager A mind map about Taiji models Look at the important role of colours A mind map template for meetings This is a template of MindManager

1. 2. Purpose 3. Parking lot 4. 1. 5. Distant participants 2. 3. 1. 1. 2. Meeting 2. 3. Participants Action items [keyword+date] 3. 4. 4. 5. 5.

1. Day 2. Exact time 3. Time/Place Agenda Place 4. 5. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

The risk with mind mapping is information noise!

A mind map has a loose syntax and semantics. Unlike concept and dialog maps, nodes hasn’t any a-priori type and their position in the map is meaningless. Moreover, arcs are not taggable, and relations are nodes as well.

The risk of mind mapping is to add useless informations in the map itself, e.g. colours that have more than one meaning. This is particularly true in collective maps. A bad mind map about a book report What mistakes did the mind mapper make? This is not a mind map A chart can be useful, but it’s not a mind map! • Then related ideas radiate out from the center as branches. They are called Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs).

• Some branches give birth to minor branches, as minor themes or particular and detailed ideas.

• Like neurons.

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Radiant thinking

• Mind mapping begins from a central idea. • Some branches give birth to minor branches, as minor themes or particular and detailed ideas.

• Like neurons.

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Radiant thinking

• Mind mapping begins from a central idea.

• Then related ideas radiate out from the center as branches. They are called Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs). • Like neurons.

Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Radiant thinking

• Mind mapping begins from a central idea.

• Then related ideas radiate out from the center as branches. They are called Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs).

• Some branches give birth to minor branches, as minor themes or particular and detailed ideas. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Radiant thinking

• Mind mapping begins from a central idea.

• Then related ideas radiate out from the center as branches. They are called Basic Ordering Ideas (BOIs).

• Some branches give birth to minor branches, as minor themes or particular and detailed ideas.

• Like neurons. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Advantages of paper-and-pencil mind mapping

It’s easy. Take a A3 sheet of paper landscape and write the topic, problem or subject in the center. Then place the BOIs and go along.

They are perfect for single-user mapping, where you don’t share the map itself – they may be even confusing to others, but clear for you. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Disadvantages of paper-and-pencil mind mapping

It’s not easy to copy and share. It’s not easy to correct errors – more important ideas should be close to the center. In fact, you often don’t recognize BOIs at the ﬁrst glance.

On the contrary, electronic maps may even be route maps to resources as well (other maps, music, videos, etc.)

We choose FreeMind as the best software tool: it’s free (GPLed), cross-platform (Windows, Linux, MacOS, etc.) but above all ﬂexible. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Known mistakes made by beginners in mapping

More than one. The main mistake – in every cognitive mapping approach – is not to analyse ideas, i.e. put more than one ideas in a single node (for example, put a whole sentence in a node, instead of chunking). Wrong type. A common mistake in dialog maps is to put a Question in a Idea or using a Question node for judgements (false questions). Class error. A common mistake in concept maps is to put a node either too high (abstract) or too low (concrete) in the map itself. Importance. A common mistake in mind maps is to put a node either too distant (less important) or too close (more important) to the center. A plethora of software tools for mapping How to choose the best for Agile mapping? Ockam’s solution: use paper and (a lot of) pencil(s) Kent Beck explains XP with a mind map

But what about collective free idea mapping? Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

FreeMind is our choice this year

In Retrospectives, I ask to you to collect critiques (Pros and Cons!) of Freemind. Paper-and-pencils mind maps are ok in single-user mode Kent Beck explains Developer Accountability Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Free idea mapping as an Agile practice

One of the core values of Agile is Interaction, i.e. a mind shift from “writing (documentation)” to “talking (conversation)”.

Free idea mapping is a proposal to capture user wish as a whole, before restrictiong written information in tangible small cards – User Stories as mementos of user interaction. Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Agile mapping should be antifundamentalist

In my personal experience, a surveilled mind mapping approach is the best in knowledge elicitation.

“Surveilled” means antifundamentalis, i.e. mind mapping with injections of the concept and dialog approach as well, e.g. with Focus Questions as BOIs radiating from the central topic/idea and deﬁning Pros and Cons as well, aware of ZPDs in leading groups. Sometimes “expert skeleton” maps proved eﬀective. Gathering and modeling

a bridge between customers and team members

Requirement Gathering (User Wish Elicitation) Requirement Modeling

divergent thinking convergent thinking

Idea User Agile planning Goal map stories

Use free idea mapping to get customers into Agile directly ESSAP started with a map brainstorming... Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Two project proposals

Let’s try to visualize thinking with a free idea map on-the-ﬂy, with me as your customer-on-site.

Both web applications DICOM need... Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

First: Examinando

“I want to manage dates of lectures, courses and exams with a reservation whiteboard. Teachers should see a calendar before date booking, and a content administrator should conﬁrm the reservation or propose more dates. We want to avoid overbooking, i.e. more than one exam for the same student classes in the same day!” Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions

Second: Academia

“Scholars go to conferences and (summer) schools. We want a web application in order to manage the whole ﬂuxus of information: call for papers, deadlines, review process (e.g. send an anonymized copy of docs to the reviewers, etc.), session chairs, parallelism for sessions, (extended) abstracts, registration (from dietary requirements to foreseen arrival and departure dates, infos about the venue, last-minute important news, until the publication of proceedings, and the call of the next year edition.” Introduction Concept maps Dialog maps Mind maps Pitfalls Agile intersections Conclusions