How To Create A Concept Map: A Beginners Guide + Templates

Have you ever struggled with presenting complex information to your team members?

Some processes are difficult to understand and contain different levels at every step. Using a graphical interpretation instead of creating confusion with a verbal explanation is the way.

A concept map visually depicts the relationship between different ideas and processes. They are easy to create and help improve interpretations of complex ideas. While creating a concept map is easy, making it visually attractive is a task. But there are many PowerPoint templates to assist you in creating an informative diagram that catches instant attention.

Let’s start by understanding the need and right ways of creating a concept map before analyzing the best concept map PowerPoint templates.

Why Do You Need A Concept Map?

A concept map is useful for many different purposes. Here are some major reasons behind the importance of graphic presentation of ideas:

• Organizing and presenting complex concepts in a simplified manner
• Investigate a subject in detail and present relevant findings
• Ensure you don’t miss out on any key area of a core business process
• Visualize and explain the connection between concepts to your team
• Connect opinions to come across better conclusions

Businesses mostly use concept maps to convey relevant ideas or processes to their teams. It also helps in understanding the core areas of focus responsible for growth.

Steps To Create An Effective Concept Map

Here are the steps you need to follow to create an effective concept map for your ideas.

Step 1: Identification Of Basic Elements Of Your Topic

A meaningful concept map requires clarity on the basic elements. Go through these questions and answer them before moving further?

• What is your primary subject?
• What are the objectives of creating the concept map?
• How will you put together the results of a prior brainstorming session?
• Will you create a flowchart or Venn Diagram? What elements will you use to represent your ideas?
• Who is your target audience? How can you present your ideas to the best of their understanding?
• What are the core pieces of information required to comprehend the concept map effectively?
• What are the areas that will bring maximum engagement?

The graphical elements used in a concept map include shapes, arrows, and text. A neat representation of every element determines the success of your final diagram.

Step 2: Choosing A Method Of Design

There are numerous free and paid ways of constructing a concept map. Choose whether you will use pen-paper, online tools, or mobile apps. While choosing a premium plan for a mobile app seems viable, concept maps created using PowerPoint templates are highly effective.

You can either convey your ideas in a single slide or prepare an entire presentation.

Step 3: Use The Top To Bottom Approach To Drawing

Start by listing the most inclusive ideas at the top, followed by finer details. Your concept map should flow from generic ideas to specific details (top to bottom).

Connecting the dots is the next core step after successfully drawing the map. Different concepts are related to each other in varied aspects. Make sure the links are clear for an improved understanding of the viewer. For instance, while creating a concept map in PowerPoint, you can use a hierarchy for adding information. Use shapes and lines to establish a clear connection.

Best Concept Map PowerPoint Templates For Beginners

There are many different concept map templates available and ready to use. Here are some of the best options for beginners to get started.

Tree Diagram Template for PowerPoint

Business professionals highly prefer this PowerPoint template for visual representation of their ideas. This map covers everything from covering a leader’s responsibility to outlining labor duties. All the templates are highly editable and can be customized based on personal requirements. You can highlight the specific areas and branch them accordingly by editing the tree diagram.

Multi-Step Infographic Agenda Slides for PowerPoint

This PowerPoint slide consists of four templates presenting eight agendas. The visual representation aims at connecting different ideas to a central unit. It strongly emphasizes the link and enhances viewer understanding. You can easily represent categories, kinds, subprocesses, etc., using this concept map PowerPoint template. It’s one of the best choices for depicting non-sequential agenda.

5-Step Petal Mind Map Concept for PowerPoint

5-Step Petal Mind Map is one of the most creative options out there as it appears in the form of flower petals. The clipart icons further add to the visualization of terms. It’s useful in breaking down a core process into five easy steps. Businesses can use this template for communicating key ideas for smooth business operations.

4 Item 12 Sub-Item PowerPoint Diagram

The template consists of two slides for representing processes and their sub-processes. The diagram consists of a compass pointing the four directions to core processes. Next comes the three-pointers targeting the sub-processes. This professional layout works exceptionally well for explaining projects to different teams in an organized manner.

SWOT Mind Map for PowerPoint

A SWOT analysis is a core part of effective business planning and organizational growth. The most important variables- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) are evaluated and presented. You can easily edit the template and include clip art, images, or videos for better understanding. Moreover, a SWOT analysis is also helpful for individual growth.

Free Concept Map PowerPoint Template

The multi-level mind map diagrams aim at presenting the results of brainstorming sessions understandably. Go ahead and present your creative ideas with a logical connection binding them together. The colorful nodes and branches make it visually appealing for the viewers. It demonstrates a hierarchical structure and represents the levels through different shades of colors to different topics. It’s one of the best options for presenting complex information. If your next problem-solving presentation is lined-up, experiment with this template to see results.

Final Words

Finally, you are equipped with the right steps and best PowerPoint templates for creating a concept map. Experiment with different concept maps whether you are preparing for a business presentation or simplifying your personal ideas. It’s time to put the results of the brainstorming sessions out there for better analysis and interpretation. Lastly, keep the goal of creating a concept map clear before beginning the process.