Basic ordering ideas are the first-level topics that radiate out from your map’s central topic. They are the key concepts that help you to produce the greatest number of associations as you develop a mind map. This concept was originally developed by Tony Buzan as part of his mind mapping methodology, and has been ignored by most developers of mind mapping software. But the idea behind basic ordering ideas (or BOIs) is a solid one, and you can almost certainly improve the quality of your mind maps by being aware of how to create good BOIs.

In The Mind Map Book, written by Tony and Barry Buzan, the authors provide the clearest explanation of what BOIs are and why they’re so important. The authors believe that creating effective basic ordering entries is a critical first step when creating a mind map, because they shape the content and meaning of the rest of the map:

“Basic ordering ideas are key concepts within which a host of other concepts can be organized… these power words or basic ordering ideas are the key to shaping and steering the creative process of association. To put it another way, they are the chapter headings you would use if you were writing a book on the subject.”

“Basic ordering ideas help to shape, sculpt and construct mind maps enabling the mind to think in a naturally structured way… the primary ideas are in place so that secondary and tertiary ideas can follow quickly and easily to facilitate a harmonious thought structure.”

Imagine that you’re preparing a major business proposal or writing a book. You would want to create section or chapter headings that are meaningful, relevant and easy for your reader or target audience to follow, correct? Further, you would want these major headings, taken together, to provide an accurate, high-level overview of the topic, wouldn’t you? That’s what basic ordering ideas are all about – creating three to seven major “hooks” that fully describe your map’s topic at a high level and which serve as a mental catalyst to drive the mapping and brainstorming process.

The Buzans imply that if you don’t pay adequate attention to your BOIs, then you will probably end up with a poorly organized, hard to understand mind map. Of course, this is more critical for a hand-written map where you’re stuck with your major topics wherever you wrote them on the page. Mind mapping software allows you to add, delete or edit your map’s topics at any time. Still, I think this is an important principle that you ought to be mindful of. I think that understanding and applying this concept to each mind map you create will ultimately make you a better visual mapper!

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