In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Sankey charts and how they can be used to streamline the flow of processes. We’ll cover the basics of Sankey chart creation, as well as a few examples of how they’ve been used to optimize processes in various industries. So if you’re looking to improve the efficiency of your processes, keep reading!

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are used to show the flow of materials or information through a process. They were invented by Charles Sankey in the late 19th century and are often used in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain management.

Sankey charts consist of a set of interconnected circles, with arrows pointing from one circle to another to show the flow of materials or information. The circles represent different stages in the process, while the arrows represent the movement of materials or information between those stages.

Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of a process and identify areas where improvements can be made. For example, by analyzing a Sankey chart of a manufacturing process, manufacturers can identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the production line.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart is relatively easy, as long as you have access to a flowcharting tool such as Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, or SmartDraw. With these tools, you can create a Sankey chart by following these steps:

1. Open the flowcharting tool and select “Sankey chart.”
2. Enter the starting and ending points for your process and the points in between.
3. Add arrows to show the flow of materials or information between the points.
4. Customize the chart as desired, such as by adding labels or modifying the appearance of the chart.

Adding Elements to a Sankey Chart

Sankey charts can be further customized by adding additional elements such as:

• Data fields: These can be used to display specific values or metrics related to the process, such as production quantities or processing time.
• Gantt charts: These can be used to show the duration of each step in the process and highlight potential bottlenecks.
• Swimlane diagrams: These can be used to further break down the process into smaller sub-processes and identify areas where improvements can be made.

Using Sankey Charts to Optimize Processes

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for optimizing processes and identifying areas where improvements can be made. By visualizing the flow of a process and identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies, Sankey charts can help organizations improve the efficiency of their processes and reduce waste.

Here are a few examples of how Sankey charts have been used to optimize processes in various industries:

1. Manufacturing: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of a manufacturing process and identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies. For example, a manufacturer might create a Sankey chart of their production line to identify areas where machinery could be optimized or where workers could be trained to improve efficiency.
2. Supply chain management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods and information throughout a supply chain. For example, a logistics company might use a Sankey chart to identify areas where delays or inefficiencies in the supply chain are occurring and take steps to address them.
3. Healthcare: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of patient care and identify areas where improvements can be made. For example, a healthcare organization might create a Sankey chart of their patient flow to identify areas where patients are waiting inordinate amounts of time or where care coordination could be improved.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of processes and identifying areas where improvements can be made. By creating and customizing Sankey charts, organizations can optimize their processes, reduce waste, and improve efficiency.

SankeyMaster

SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.