Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are used to represent the flow of materials or information between different actors or stages of a process. They were originally developed by Japanese engineer Hidejiro Sankey in the 1930s as a way to visualize the flow of materials in a manufacturing process. Today, Sankey charts are widely used in a variety of fields including engineering, logistics, environmental science, and finance to help identify bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and support decision-making.

One of the key features of Sankey charts is their ability to represent the flow of materials or information between different actors or stages of a process. This makes them particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and improving the efficiency of a process. For example, a Sankey chart of a manufacturing process could be used to identify areas where materials are being held up or where production is having difficulty keeping up with demand.

Another advantage of Sankey charts is their ability to show the flow of materials or information over time. This allows engineers and other stakeholders to track the progress of a process and identify opportunities for improvement. For example, a Sankey chart of a supply chain could be used to track the movement of goods from suppliers to customers, highlighting any delays or bottlenecks in the process.

There are many different applications of Sankey charts, including:

1. Manufacturing: Sankey charts are commonly used in manufacturing to visualize the flow of materials or information between different stages of a process. They can be used to identify bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of a process by showing the flow of materials over time.
2. Logistics: Sankey charts can help logistics managers to visualize the flow of goods between different stages of a supply chain. They can be used to identify bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of the process by showing the flow of goods over time.
3. Environmental Science: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of pollutants or other materials between different stages of an environmental process such as treatment or disposal. They can help analysts to identify areas for improvement and support decision-making.
4. Finance: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of funds or other financial information between different stages of a financial process. They can help analysts to identify areas for improvement and support decision-making.

To create a Sankey chart, you will need to gather data on the flow of materials or information between different actors or stages of a process. This data can be represented by nodes and arrows on the chart, with the arrows showing the direction and magnitude of the flow. You can then use a software tool such as Process Flows Pro, Process Flow Diagrams & Sankey Chart, or Visio to create the chart.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of materials or information between different actors or stages of a process. They can be used to identify bottlenecks, improve the efficiency of a process, and support decision-making in a variety of fields including engineering, logistics, environmental science, and finance. With the right data and software, it is easy to create a Sankey chart and start taking advantage of its benefits.

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.