Streamlining Flow: A Sankey Chart Guide for Visualizing Processes and Identifying Areas for Improvement

When it comes to improving processes and identifying areas for optimization, it can be difficult to see the bigger picture. That’s where Sankey charts come in. Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are used to visualize the flow of materials, information, or services through a process. They are an effective way to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas where improvements can be made. In this guide, we will go over the basics of creating a Sankey chart and highlight some common applications in different industries.

Creating a Sankey Chart

A Sankey chart is designed to show the flow of materials, information, or services through a process. It is created using a set of interconnecting arrows that represent the flow of the items through the process. The chart is divided into two halves, with one side showing the input or source of the items and the other side showing the output or destination of the items.

To create a Sankey chart, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Identify the inputs and outputs of the process. For example, if you are creating a Sankey chart for a manufacturing process, the inputs would be the raw materials and the outputs would be the finished products.
2. Determine the flow of the items through the process. For example, the raw materials may be transformed into finished products through a series of steps, with each step represented by an arrow on the chart.
3. Place the arrows on the chart to show the flow of the items. The arrows should connect the inputs to the outputs in a way that shows the flow of the items through the process.
4. Label the chart to show the names of the inputs, outputs, and the steps in the process.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are commonly used in a variety of industries to visualize and optimize processes. Here are a few examples:

1. Manufacturing: Sankey charts are used to optimize the flow of materials through a manufacturing process, from raw materials to finished products. They can be used to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the process and to suggest ways to improve productivity and quality.
2. Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of goods through a supply chain, from suppliers to customers. They can be used to identify inefficiencies in the supply chain and to suggest ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
3. Service Delivery: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of services through a process, from the point of delivery to the point of consumption. They can be used to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the process and to suggest ways to improve productivity and quality.
4. Financial Processing: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of funds through a financial process, such as cash flow analysis. They can be used to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the process and to suggest ways to improve productivity and profitability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a valuable tool for visualizing and optimizing processes. They are easy to create and can be used in a variety of industries to identify areas for improvement. By using a Sankey chart, you can gain a better understanding of your processes and identify opportunities for optimization, leading to increased productivity, quality, and profitability.

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