Sankey diagrams are a type of flowchart that provide a visual representation of the flow of materials, money, or information between different entities. They were originally developed by a man named W. Edwards Deming and are often referred to as Deming cycles or Deming arrows. Sankey diagrams are useful for visualizing dynamic relationships and can be used in a variety of fields, including engineering, finance, and marketing.
One of the key advantages of Sankey diagrams is their ability to show the direction of the flow. This is particularly useful for visualizing the flow of materials or information through a system. In a traditional flowchart, the direction of the flow is often not clear, which can make it difficult to understand the system as a whole.
Another advantage of Sankey diagrams is their ability to show the relative proportions of different entities in the flow. This can be particularly useful for visualizing the flow of money or information through a system. For example, a Sankey diagram could be used to show the relative proportions of different sources of funding or the different types of information that are flowing through a system.
Sankey diagrams can be created using a variety of software tools, including Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, and SmartDraw. These tools typically provide a drag-and-drop interface for adding and connecting shapes, as well as a range of pre-built templates for common Sankey diagram types.
One of the most common applications of Sankey diagrams is in engineering. They are often used to visualize the flow of materials or information through a manufacturing process or to identify potential bottlenecks in the process. Sankey diagrams can also be used to visualize the flow of energy or resources through a system, which can be particularly useful for renewable energy or sustainable design.
Sankey diagrams are also commonly used in finance to visualize the flow of money through a system. They can be used to show the flow of money between different accounts or to identify potential areas of risk or fraud. Sankey diagrams can also be used to visualize the flow of funds through a portfolio or investment strategy.
Sankey diagrams are an useful visualization tool, particularly for understanding dynamic relationships between different entities. They can be used in a variety of fields, including engineering and finance, to help identify bottlenecks and potential areas of improvement.
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