Concept Mapping Tools: Inspiration vs. CmapTools

I've used both Inspiration and CmapTools for years. I'm comfortable with both and for simple maps, I don't mind using either. For complex sets of interlinked maps, however, there is no doubt that CmapTools is the preferred tool.  Over the past two years, I have developed a set of 50+ interlinked maps using Inspiration (because that was the preferred tool at work at the time).  These are not strictly speaking "concept maps", but could more accurately be described as conversation maps.  Inspiration allowed me to create hyperlinks between maps and for a while, when I was dealing with a smaller set of maps, it was working relatively well.  A key requirement for that project was to make the maps available through a user-friendly browser interface.  Inspiration allows you to export maps into a web format.  With time, however, as the number of maps I was adding expanded and the interlinkages increased, the system started to crash.  There were major issues associated with the export to a web format.  Simply put, Inspiration wasn't designed to publish complex sets of interlinked maps on the web.  It does an excellent job with individual maps and small sets of maps, and it is slightly more user friendly than CmapTools and a perfect tool to teach concept mapping and for beginners.

The key advantage of CmapTools over Inspiration, in the context of a complex set of maps is that CmapTools has much greater flexibility in terms of exporting to a web format.  In particular, it allows you to update individual maps and export individual pages as needed.  Unless I've completely missed something, Inspiration forces you to export the entire set of interlinked maps as one system.  This export maneuver, when dealing with 50+ interlinked maps, crashes the system.  Inspiration would not allow me to scale the activity to this level.

I am now in the process of completely recreating the system using CmapTools.  The import function is helping (I don't have to retype any of the text), but it's a time consuming task.  At least it will be a more robust and reliable system, much easier to update and keep expanding as needed.

Another important advantage of CmapTools (in the tool version rather than the web export version) is the search function.  Dealing with 50+ interlinked maps, I've often had to look for specific terms or verify connections between maps.  The search function has become invaluable.

So, how did I end up with 50+ interlinked maps?  The map system is a key element of an organizational learning plan which includes Pause and Learn sessions (our version of After-Action-Reviews) and workshops.  In short, Pause and Learn conversations are captured in maps, which are then aggregated around topic areas.  The map system then serves as learning materials for new teams and is used in knowledge sharing workshops.  It's a very neat method for capturing and transferring knowledge across teams. (see a previously posted presentation: Mapping in Support of Organizational Learning)