Mind mapping is a great way to brainstorm, store ideas, and create visual relations between concepts. I found a great application to do mind mapping -- and it lets me save those mind maps as PowerPoint presentation outlines -- a great way to create great outlines.
With ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5, you can present processes, ideas, complicated relationships, and other concepts graphically. The program helps you present your learning material in a logical and structured way -- it also includes a comprehensive library of graphics, colors, figures and connections which helps in creating and sustaining the outline structure.