According to one Mind Mapping website, the hand-drawn associational webs were developed as a technique to help people learn more effectively by a man named Tony Buzan. 

 Buzan has gone on to be recognised as the world's leading authority on how to use the brain more effectively. Mind Maps® are now used throughout the world by businesses, schools and universities and are recognised as the most effective and versatile thinking tool available.

For more mind-map examples and explanations of the technique, click here.

The mind map pictured here was drawn by illustrator Paul Foreman.  You can find more of his mind maps here.  Foreman's site says that

Mind Maps ® . . . help us progress from "linear" (one-dimensional)
through "lateral" (two-dimensional) to "radiant" (multi-dimensional) thinking.

Just today, Nancy Hudgins at Civil Negotiation and Mediation Blog  posted an interview with me about the use of graphics during mediations.  Thanks for the interview Nancy!  You can read there what I had to say about helping me helping you help your client help you settle litigation.  (see Jerry McGuire clip here)

This mind map -- which looks like a diagrammed sentence to me -- (do kids still diagram sentences?) -- also looks like a great way to draw a helpful chart of a case valuation from both a position-based and an interest-based perspective. I'll try that soon with my stick-figure drawing skills if you promise not to laugh.

Anything.  Anything at all that helps organize complex, sophisticated information is more useful than its absence.