The Process
This is an example of what I am now calling an "IdeaGram"
It is a logic diagram or flow chart in the tradition of PERT/CPM network analysis and project planning.
The interesting application which has been developed is to use these charts as a method of outlining written materials and structuring concepts and ideas.
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DEFINITION OF SOME TERMS RELATING TO THE PRECEDING DIAGRAM
Niche: Fulfills (in some manner) all three definitions contained in the Oxford Dictionary:
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A shallow recess, especially one in a wall to display a statue or other ornament (in this case
the “niche” is the diagram that is developed to display the content of the idea or narrative)
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A comfortable or suitable position in life or employment (in this case I have found both an occupation to support myself and a creative endeavor that I hope to contribute to society)
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A specialized segment of the market for a particular type of product or service (although an acknowledged expert in the professional management consulting field, my envisioned endeavor, at this point in my life, is to engage others in the use and experience of these methods for study, understanding and sharing knowledge and ideas
Personal Study and Understanding: The development of these charts and diagrams over the past forty years stemmed from a personal vision that sometimes resulted from the necessity of simplifying a complex series of ideas into a simple visual illustration. At other times the impetus was simply to capture what might have been a complete book into a simple chart. (An example was the following chart prepared in 1980 for “The Relaxation Response” by Herbert Benson).
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Simplify Complex Subjects for Other’s Understanding: We all generally like to teach others. The initial movement in this direction stemmed from raising a child and observing and participating in the development of his knowledge growth from Kindergarten to adulthood. Having encountered meaningful concepts that I feel others might appreciate I have begun a process of categorizing and exhibiting them.
Collaboration: The action of working with someone to produce something. To develop a platform for expansion of the “library” of IdeaGrams and enable others to share their creations and subject matter. Similar sites exist for “mind maps” but mind maps, in my opinion, are not easily read (i.e. left to right, top to bottom, visually organized in logic and categorization). The two concepts (MindMaps and IdeaGrams) are complementary in that the MindMap is first and foremost a brainstorming tool while the IdeaGram chart is best suited for analyzing and presenting steps and ideas in a methodical, sequential and inherently legible manner.
Infrastructure: The basic physical and organizational structure and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise To develop a tool that digitally enables creation of IdeaGrams in the network analysis logic format that was somewhat laboriously created by hand in the past and seems to have been lost in the last 20-30 years as software programs have deferred to a bar chart visual aspect.
Education: The process of receiving or giving systematic instruction; the theory and practice of teaching; a body of knowledge acquired while being educated; information about or training in a particular subject; an enlightening experience. To implement the creation of a significant volume of educational material to help others (from the young to the mature) to understand, experience and create similar documents and expand their understanding of various subjects.
Analyze Nature of Chart as a Graphic and Narrative Learning Tool: Even as a picture is worth a thousand words, there is something special about an IdeaGram that conveys a special insight into a process or narrative. I seek a wider discussion of this concept and idea. I know, to a certain extent, what the development and use of this process have contributed to my awareness, understanding, and patience regarding the unfolding of reality. I would like to better understand what effect this tool would have with others as they learn, explore and collaborate with the use of this tool.
Charting and Diagramming to Enable Others to Think Clearly: I believe that the clarity of thinking that is required to create and/or read an IdeaGram is special. This clarity develops as a direct result of the critical thinking and concentration that are required to analyze a subject and create a chart that reflects the content of a process or a piece of written material.