A mind map helps when you are discovering relationships: themes for an article, features of a product, or causes of a problem. Place the central question in the middle and branch into distinct categories before adding details.
A list is better once order, priority, or ownership matters. “Investigate payment failures, then test a fix, then publish” is a sequence, not a web of ideas. You can begin with a mind map to find missing angles and then convert selected branches into a checklist or plan.
If a branch contains several unrelated tasks, split it. If every branch points to a deadline, it is time to move to a task list.
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