Boundary: definition and example
A boundary is a closed shape drawn around a topic or a run of neighbouring sibling topics in a mind map to group them visually, with an optional title.
What it means
A boundary encloses topics so they read as one group. It does not change the structure: the topics keep their parents and branches. It only adds a visual layer on top.
When to use one
Use a boundary to flag a few neighbouring topics that share a status, an owner, a deadline or a theme, without moving them under a new parent.
How it differs from nearby terms
A summary topic uses a bracket to add a short conclusion about a set of sibling branches. A boundary adds no topic, only a shape and a title. A relationship line joins two topics anywhere on the map, not a group.
In MindmapPal
The MindmapPal app for iPhone and iPad adds a boundary around the selected topics, with a choice of shape and fill and an optional title. The web editor on this site does not add boundaries.
Example
In a conference plan, the Suppliers branch has Speakers, Venue, Catering and Printing. A boundary around the first three is titled "Needs a contract", because they share one deadline.
Related terms
- Summary topic: A summary topic is a topic joined by a bracket to a range of sibling topics in a mind map, giving a single conclusion or label for the whole range.
- Relationship line: A relationship line is a line, often with arrowheads and a label, drawn between any two topics in a mind map to show a connection that is not part of the branch structure.
- Floating topic: A floating topic is a topic placed freely on a mind map canvas, not connected to the central topic or to any branch.
- Main branch: A main branch is a topic attached directly to the central topic of a mind map, and it heads one major part of the subject with its own subtopics below it.