Turning messy brainstorm notes into a useful mind map

Put the question or goal in the center, then group ideas by relationship rather than by the order they were spoken. Give each branch a short label and move duplicates together.

Separate decisions, tasks, evidence, and open questions so the map reveals what is known and what needs work. Do not preserve every raw note in the visible structure; keep a parking area for ideas that do not yet fit. Review the map with the group before treating it as a plan.

What is the central question?