Mind maps and concept maps. Brainstorming.

Lateral
thinking
A mind map is a diagram used to visually outline information. A mind map is
often created around a single word or text placed in the centre, to which
associated ideas, words and concepts are added. Major categories radiate from
a central node. Other terms for this diagramming style are spider-diagram,
mind-webs.
Mind maps can be used to generate, visualize, structure and classify ideas and
as an aid to studying and organising information, solving problems, making
decisions and writing.
Mind maps differ from concept maps because they focus on one word or idea
whereas concept maps connect multiple words or ideas. A concept map is
instead a diagram showing the relationship among concepts. It is a graphical
tool for organising and representing knowledge. Concepts, usually represented
as boxes or circles, are connected with labelled arrows in a down wardbranching hierarchical structure. The relationship between concepts can be
articulated in linking phrases such as gives rises to, results in, is required
by, or contributes to. They are used to stimulate the generation of ideas and
are believed to aid creativity.
Brainstorming is a group or individual creativity technique, by which affords are
made to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas
spontaneously contributed by its member(s). Brainstorming is more effective
then individual working alone in generating ideas. It should address a specific
question and the problem must require the generation of ideas rather than
judgement.
Lateral thinking is solving problems through an indirect and creative approach,
using reasoning that is not immediately obvious and involving ideas that may
not be obtainable by using traditional step by step logic. Lateral thinking
deliberately distances itself from standard perceptions of creativity as either
vertical logic or horizontal imagination.