I want to show you a new online tool that I recently came across that is quite handy if you are a visual thinker, or perhaps you like to draw out your ideas, use sticky notes, a whiteboard or a big scrap of paper and heap of markers to draw and plan and get ideas out of your head - if any of that is you, then this tool may be for you!
I've tried a few different online whiteboards, diagrams and flowchart tools over the years - particularly for creating flowcharts as that's something I do often when I'm setting out processes, workflows or how systems need to be set up for clients and for my own business.
The last one I used was called Lucidchart, which does do flowcharts and diagrams, however I found it a little clunky and limited. There is also quite a few different mind mapping online tools out there, but they tend to be specific to creating mind maps only.
This one that I've just discovered is called Miro and it is a bit of a mixture of everything the existing applications can do. It is referred to as an online whiteboard and there are a few things that set Miro apart from all the other online tools I have tested. Check out the video below to learn more or scroll down for the written version.
I am loving the flexibility, versatility and usability of Miro so far so let's look into it a bit deeper. You can see straight away when you log in the main feature of Miro is the whiteboards. The first screen you come to will show you all of the boards that are available to you. You can organise them into projects, which are similar to folders, but you do need to be on a paid plan for that. There is still so much you can do on the free version, so let's explore.
EASY ONLINE OR OFFLINE COLLABORATION & SHARING
There are heaps of different features to Miro, which I'll cover the basics of below, but one of my favourite functions is that it has built-in online collaboration. Especially relevant and important now, with so many people working remotely, this is incredibly handy.
You can have multiple people logged in to one of the Miro whiteboards and work in real-time on the board together, with the ability to chat, comment, and move things around, type, draw, take notes and more, all at the same time. You might be having a remote video call with somebody and you can bring your whiteboard up on the screen and work on it together while you're in completely different locations. Miro also boast an in-built video call option so there is no need to even leave the application!
It also allows for sharing via a link which you can send to your team for them to edit and comment on in their own time and it will update live.
You have the ability to invite members to your Miro boards. A big benefit of this is when you're working remotely with people it's actually set up so that you can all logged into one board at the same time. There's a chat feature so your team can comment as you are making changes. It is a fantastic tool to discuss and collaborate on things together effectively.
On the free plan, your boards are all shared with your invited team members. If you upgrade to the paid account, you have the ability to create private boards.
TEMPLATES
Miro has lots of different types of diagram templates that you can use, or refer to as examples to see how to get started. You can also choose to start from scratch and build your own. When you first log in, the most common templates are listed across the top of your options so you can quickly click onto one and get to work.
There is a standard mind map which is really great for brain dumping ideas and outlining things. I've used the mind map for planning and creating content ideas, training, workshops, and many other things this year.
For example, with the training, I'm using the mind map to plan what content to include in each training session. Putting all the ideas into the mind map, and then you can move things around and organise it in order to turn it into a clearer picture, that can then be easily communicated to your team or clients.
There are so many different templates available in Miro and if you're a visual thinker or planner, you will love Miro.
I can see myself using this for a lot for the flowcharts. A lot of the time when I'm figuring out how-to documents and procedures, a flow chart can be really useful to show the steps and at any point where a decision needs to be made, what the options might be. You can then look at each step and understand what information is needed for each step, who needs to do it, who needs to be making the decisions, where does this information go etc.
If you see one of the templates and are unsure what it could be used for, you click on a preview and it will show you more detail. It will also give you an explanation of what you would use that particular diagram for. Many of the templates are to do with particular strategies, such as agile, and different sort of frameworks.
Back to our mind map as an example, you simply click on the mind map template and start typing on the board to get started. Simple!
FRAMES & PRESENTATIONS
A handy feature of the Miro whiteboards is that you can set up "Frames". The whiteboard is a near-infinite area which allows for the creation of both simple and very large, complex diagrams. Frames provide the ability to tell Miro where you, or your client, would like to look. By clicking a Frame, Miro will zoom in on the area you have set to be within this frame, rather than you having to scroll and search for the area you are looking for. Frames can be particularly useful when using your whiteboard in a presentation, and Miro has an in-built presentation mode. In presentation mode, the viewers see only what is in your selected frame, while you have the ability to see your notes field, in which you can record your presentation notes or create an action list whilst you are presenting, for example.
CREATIVE VERSATILITY & FREEDOM
Miro allows you to create many different shapes, sticky notes, import images, colour and font customisations, smart drawing (handy for iPad users), arrows and lines - there is huge ability to get creative with your charts and diagrams in new ways online.
You can scribble, draw and add comments while you're talking to people and then in your views you can also see all the comments together. There is also a notes section where you can keep your private meeting notes, agenda summaries, workshop notes, presentation notes etc. These notes can be either copied or exported if needed.
You can also add templates straight into an existing board. The added templates become like cards you can drag from one board to another, similar to a Kanban board.
Miro allows you to export your finished boards so you may use them outside of Miro also if required.
THE VERDICT
Miro is so flexible and I can see so many potential uses for it. Having meetings remotely and talking out ideas and and plans for example. I'm definitely going to be using it for flowcharts for processes and that's something I a bit of a nerd about! I believe it will be an effective tool to help get ideas and creativity flowing! There are definitely many different ways you might work with Miro.
The free plan allows you to have three whiteboards. Depending on if you want to use it internally or externally, and for how many people and projects, or even as a solo consultant, there are options for upgrading to suit different requirements.
So, that is a basic look into Miro. Give it a try if you're any in any way visually orientated with planning or even if you don't think you are - you may surprise yourself!
Let me know in the comments below what you think of Miro? Is it something you think you'll try? Or perhaps you have already used it? What did you think? Let me know if you have another similar tool that you have used and loved for nutting out your processes and workflows in your business, I'd love to hear about it!
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