1. Start by putting a small number of concepts that are important for your expert domain in the concept-map.
2. Then, try to connect those concepts with each other. An arrow connecting two concepts should also have a label: a word or a brief phrase that defines the relationship between these concepts (e.g. ‘released by’ or ‘produces’).
3. Each concept or idea has to be connected with, at least, one other concept.
4. From that point on, your concept map will grow. You will probably think of new concepts that are related to the ones that are already in the concept map.
5. Of course you can always make changes to parts of your concept map you have done earlier.