Founded in 2006, MindMeister has an innovative approach to information organisation and project management. It lets users create collaborative flowcharts that depict how an idea has evolved from inception to execution, helped by the contributions of various stakeholders along the way. It can dynamically display how the mind map has changed over time, and users can choose from a range of pre-built and custom layouts for creating a flowchart that perfectly meets their needs.
The MindMeister app for Microsoft Teams brings this unique visual collaboration capability to the Microsoft ecosystem.
Interestingly, MindMeister is among the most popular brainstorming tools in the world, with over 15 million users working on 1.5+ billion ideas. With a consistent top rating on Apple, Google, Zapier, etc., we were understandably excited when the parent company (Meister) launched the MindMeister app for Teams, followed by a MeisterTask integration.
Let’s review the features of MindMeister for Teams in more detail.
Inside the MindMeister App for Teams
Installing MindMeister inside Microsoft Teams enables a visual collaboration whiteboard where different channel members can pitch in on a singular idea. For instance, if users are working on a product launch, the map will branch into its multiple features and aspects, with a task list assigned to each. Alongside this, collaborators can chat with each other and further finetune the ideas.
Here are the key features of the MindMeister app for Teams.
- Mind map tabs inside a channel: This is essentially how the MindMeister integration works. Once users have installed MindMeister from the Teams app marketplace (with the requisite admin permissions), they can choose MindMeister from selecting apps that appear when adding a channel tab. Tabs can display an existing map from their MindMeister account or start a new map from scratch.
- Real-time collaboration: The map is now ready for edits, and modifications, in real-time. From the root topic, various channel members can create topics and side topics, which users can finetune further using fonts, colours, symbols, and even emojis. Channel members can view and comment on map edits in real time.
- Commenting and voting: This feature makes map creation and brainstorming collaborative. Users can create simple polls inside the map diagram without disturbing its content. This allows them to quickly collect feedback on an idea and optimise its evolution to the next idea within a specific topic.
- Mind map to slideshow conversion: The MindMeister app makes it easy to convert flowcharts and ideation diagrams into a presentation with just a few clicks. This is particularly useful for productivity tasks where the chart is the final deliverable — for example, when explaining concepts in a classroom or conducting a public speaking session in a how-to format. MindMeister can work as a presentation tool without relying on external software.
- MindMeister dashboard: This feature helps users consolidate all the activity across their MindMeister account from Teams. The dashboard lists all the mind maps users created and their colleagues shared. Search for maps across channels, create, copy/delete them and organise mind maps in a folder structure.
- Team chat sidebar: When users add a mind map to a channel, a sidebar opens where channel members can chat, share links, upload attachments, etc. This means the conversation happens alongside the ideation process, minimising iterations and approval bottlenecks. They can toggle the sidebar on/off to make more room for their map.
Why the MindMeister App Makes a Difference
MindMeister is one of the most unique, simple, and impactful solutions in project management. It is ideal for rapid-fire planning before managers begin with execution, which continues to be a top-down process at most companies. MindMeister involves team members not only in task execution but in the planning and decision-making stage itself. Needless to it’s helpful to have this capability present where a team hangs out the most: i.e., in Microsoft Teams. It prevents conversations from running out of steam and ensures deliverables for every brainstorming session.
What We Think
MindMeister has incredible potential for professionals looking to use Microsoft tools for brainstorming — e.g., project planners, creatives, educators, etc. Remember that organisations will need a Microsoft Business or Education account to start. MindMeister is available to download here.
