Mar

2

Omega Mapping

Posted by AlexTG

March 2, 2007 |

Recently I came across interesting thinking technique that extends traditional mind mapping. The author has named it Omega Mapping and placed its detailed description in his blog. The only problem is that the description is in Russian :)
I decided to post the briefly translated description of Omega mapping. You will find it below.

By the way, I would ask you to spend several menutes to share your ideas on what you think about the software that supports Omega Mapping technique as well as traditional Mind Mapping.

P.S.
You can read original post here

Omega Mapping

MindMapping constraints

  • 1. Divergence vs. convergence.
    The mind map’s branches are diverges from center to diverse sides getting more detailed and complicated. At the same time, due to its structuring, it also simultaneously organizes this picture. However the structure of mind map is corresponding to the project initial conception. Finally the convergence of isolated details in the framework of the new united concept is needed. Better to say not only the picture of a situation even if it is structured is required, but the concept of its transformation, overriding all details and particulars as well.

  • 2. Circulation vs. evolution.
    The main graphical scheme of the mind map is a radian diagram. The main topic, which is being worked on, is situated in the center. This is convenient for the initial work stage as well as for projects which concept does not change during the work process (E.g. sorting and memorization of information). But everything gets complicated as soon as during the work there appears a new idea which is able to change radically the concept of the project itself and the structure of the map correspondingly. Certainly, do you know where to place such new ideas? Finally the main topic of your map becomes less significant than an idea or a concept, which unite the whole picture anew and effectively.

  • 3. Continuity vs. leaps
    The mind map is formed on the connections between elements which may have hierarchical or associative character, but anyway go from already known quantity. But often it can be that at first a new idea raises and then connections from it to already existing elements are constructed post factum, at that the idea may change the whole picture cardinally.

The concept of Omega-Mapping
What is the idea of omega-mapping based on?

Accordingly to terminology as applied to the development of projects, omega point is that unknown quantity which at the end of a work must be realized into the new concept or idea.

The Omega point does not appear as a result of rational way of thought. Actually it appears as a result of lateral leap, thought bursting, after which absolutely rational connections to the initial data are formed post factum.

This can’t be known in advance how exactly the leap happens. It can be the result of proper to the case creative techniques usage etc. But in any case after this the shaking-up of already existing picture happens and the new one is created.

Many science and technique discoveries were made by dint of “leaps”. Sometimes the hypothesis proceeded from false suppositions, but when it proved to be true, other bases were found for it.

Omega-mapping in practice
The technology is very simple and contains only four steps.

  1. The tree of possibilities.
    Place letters “Alpha” and “Omega” on the left and right sides of your mapping workspace. Draw to the right from “Alpha” a line with the project name and start drawing from it the tree of possibilities, placing on its branches information which you have or which you are wanting and also the already existing possibilities and alternatives. Use key words, placing them the same way as in MindMapping.
    Omega Mapping

  2. Focus definition.
    Place problems which threaten the project on the separate branch the same as tasks requiring new ideas for solving. Then define the central problem and the main task.
    In case of a difficult project there may occur several of them, but try to reduce them to minimum.

  3. Leap to omega - point.
    Having clarified the central problem or problems, start to search omega-point.
    It is possible to use one of the creative methods. Make notations of ideas, appeared in the process of work, at the workspace around “Omega”. Then choose an idea, which mostly corresponds following criteria:
    • Motivates project participants;
    • Gives a key for solving tasks and project problems;
    • Has a potential for the project development;
    • Corresponds to project standard.

    When the omega-idea is found, formulate it in the form of one key word and place it on a branch to the left of “Omega”.

    Probably on this stage there will appear several ideas-candidates equal in rights. In this case carry out the fourth step for each of the alternatives and then select more hopeful concept.

  4. Reverse map.
    Now form new connections from omega point to the tree of possibilities, connecting only those branches, which most closely correspond to the appeared concept.
    If any action is required for the better correspondence (which usually happens), write the corresponding key word on the connecting line. As a result you will obtain the reverse map from the particular to general, which will contain the most perspective steps for reaching the goal of your project.

    Omega Mapping Sample
    Sample from www.kolesnik.ru


Comments

11 Comments so far

  1. Eric Blue on March 3, 2007 2:05 am

    Alex,

    This is a really fascinating post! I think this technique has a lot of potential. It would be useful to eventually come up with a set of real world examples/templates so that others could easily adopt this approach.

    Thanks.

    - Eric

  2. Wayne Bodo on March 3, 2007 6:56 pm

    This is a fantastic idea / method!!!
    This is somthing that has and is missing from 90% of diagraming tools.. regardless of use.
    Be it VISIO and trying to create software / applications, Org charts, simple mind maps..
    OR be it dedicated MIND / brainstorm applications
    the ability to apply intuitve thinking, thoughts, ideas or leaps of thought / logic to the mapping process expands the ability of mind mapping to real world.
    Not just logical / hierarchical patterns

    Thinking or thought processes include:
    linear =logical, step by step = Hierarchical
    Associative = various fixed relations Generaly
    still constrained to Hierarchical

    AND INTUITIVE = things / thoughts / ideas /creations/ concepts,
    that spring up from other areas that “on surface” may not be related to original point

    Intuitive thinking or leaps of faith or has been the primary source of new inventions, creations as it were.
    This would not just add function or value to “Mind Map” but open whole new areas of use..

  3. thinkerlog » Blog Archive » Omega Mapping on March 3, 2007 7:07 pm

    […] trouble finding the author’s name, but he or she calls the technique Omega Mapping. And an English translation has been kindly provided by AlexTG at ConceptDraw […]

  4. Tim on March 4, 2007 2:50 am

    Very interesting idea. Looking forward to seeing how (not if, but when) this idea is developed.

    Combined with the visual elements allowed by many mind/concept mapping software, this could make a great difference, helping to bridge the gap between logical/hierarchical planning and free-association / visual idea generation & problem solving.

    I think I would find it very helpful. :)

  5. Bo Norrman on March 9, 2007 4:22 pm

    Yes,this sounds like something I would like to have! When is the beta due?

  6. AlexTG on March 9, 2007 5:39 pm

    2Bo Norrman
    What do you mean Omega Mapping or Brainstorm Lite in your comment about beta?

  7. Bo NOrrman on March 11, 2007 11:58 am

    my comment was to omega mapping

  8. Vitaly Kolesnik on March 16, 2007 11:32 pm

    Hi, I am glad you find Omega Mapping helpful (I am the author of the technique).

    Alex, thanks for the brief translation. Also, thanks to all for the feedback.

    Here is the detailed translation of the revised article on Omega Mapping I’ve just finished: http://www.kolesnik.ru/en/omegamapping/

    I will be glad to hear about your experience.

    Best wishes,

    Vitaly

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  10. Omega Mapping | Innovation Wings on April 9, 2007 7:40 pm

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