Sankey charts are a powerful visual tool for understanding and optimizing the flow of materials, resources, and information in your organization. They can help you identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions to improve processes. In this article, we’ll go over the basics of creating Sankey charts and explore some of their applications in various industries.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are named after their creator, Charles Sankey, who developed them in the 1920s. They are a type of flowchart that use arrows to represent the flow of items or ideas between different nodes or processes. Unlike traditional flowcharts, Sankey charts focus on the movement of items rather than the steps taken to complete a process.

One of the key benefits of using Sankey charts is their ability to show the relative flow of items between different nodes, rather than the relative position of nodes in a process. This makes it easier to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and to make changes that improve the flow of goods, services, or information.

How to Create Sankey Charts

Creating Sankey charts is relatively easy with most flowcharting software programs. Many of these programs also include built-in templates specifically designed for Sankey charts. Here are the steps for creating a Sankey chart:

1. Start by drawing the main process in your organization that you want to visualize using arrows to represent the flow of items or ideas between different nodes or processes.
2. Next, add the nodes or processes that represent the different stages of the process. For example, this might include receiving raw materials, processing them into finished goods, or storing them.
3. Then, add the arrows between the nodes to represent the flow of items or ideas between different processes.
4. Finally, format the chart using the visualizations and customizations available in your flowcharting software program to make it easier to read and understand.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are incredibly useful in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Here are just a few examples of how Sankey charts can be applied to improve efficiency and optimize processes:

1. Manufacturing: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials and information between different manufacturing stages, such as receiving raw materials, processing them into finished goods, and shipping them to customers. By analyzing the flow of materials, manufacturers can identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in their processes, and make improvements to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
2. Logistics: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods between different stages of logistics, such as receiving goods at a warehouse, storing them, and shipping them to customers. By analyzing the flow of goods, logistics companies can identify opportunities to optimize routes and reduce transportation costs, and improve the speed and efficiency of their operations.
3. Healthcare: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of patients between different stages of care, such as receiving an emergency visit, being admitted to the hospital, and receiving treatment. By analyzing the flow of patients, healthcare providers can identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and quality of care, and reduce wait times for patients.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful visual tool for understanding and optimizing the flow of materials, resources, and information in your organization. They can help you identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and make data-driven decisions to improve processes. With their easy-to-use flowcharting templates and wide range of visualizations and customizations, Sankey charts are a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their processes.

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