Sankey charts, also known as flowcharts, are a type of diagram that can be used to represent the flow of materials, resources, or information through a system or process. They are often used in engineering, operations management, and logistics to help identify bottlenecks, optimize processes, and improve efficiency. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of creating and applying Sankey charts to help you unleash their power and make data-driven decisions.

Step 1: Gathering Information
To create a Sankey chart, you need to gather data on the flow of materials, resources, or information through your system or process. This can include data on the source of the flow, the amount of flow, the destination of the flow, and the time it takes to move through the process.

Once you have gathered your data, it is important to clean and organize it so that it is accurate and consistent. You may also need to make some calculations or estimates to fill in any gaps in the data.

Step 2: Choosing a Sankey Chart Type
Sankey charts come in several different types, each suited for different types of data and use cases. Some common types of Sankey charts include:

• Material Flow: Used to represent the flow of materials through a system or process
• Resource Flow: Used to represent the flow of resources, such as labor or capital, through a system or process
• Information Flow: Used to represent the flow of information or data through a system or process

When choosing a Sankey chart type, it is important to consider the type of data you have and the intended use of the chart.

Step 3: Creating the Sankey Chart
Once you have gathered your data and chosen your chart type, you are ready to create the chart. There are several software programs and online tools available that can help you create Sankey charts, such as Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, and SmartDraw.

To create the chart, you will need to lay out the different components of the system or process in the vertical and horizontal axes of the chart. Then, you will need to connect the components using arrows to show the flow of materials, resources, or information.

Step 4: Analyzing the Sankey Chart
After you have created the Sankey chart, you can use it to analyze the flow of materials, resources, or information through your system or process. Some common applications of Sankey charts include:

• Identifying bottlenecks: By analyzing the flow of materials or information through the system or process, you can identify the areas where the flow is slow or congested. These areas can be potential bottlenecks that can be addressed to improve efficiency.
• Optimizing processes: By identifying potential bottlenecks and understanding the flow of materials or information through the system or process, you can optimize processes and improve efficiency. For example, you may be able to introduce new processes or technologies to streamline the flow of materials or information.
• Improving quality: By analyzing the flow of materials or information through the system or process, you can identify potential sources of errors or defects. This can help you take steps to improve quality and prevent problems from occurring.

Step 5: Presenting the Sankey Chart
Once you have analyzed the Sankey chart, you can present the findings to decision-makers or stakeholders. This can include creating a report or presentation that summarizes the key findings and recommendations.

When presenting the chart, it is important to be clear and concise, and to provide context and background information to help decision-makers understand the results. You may also want to include visual aids, such as graphs or tables, to make the information more accessible and easier to understand.

Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for analyzing the flow of materials, resources, or information through a system or process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create and apply Sankey charts to gain valuable insights and make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency, optimize processes, and improve quality. So why not try out Unleashing the Power of Sankey Charts today!

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.