Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that illustrates the flow of materials, energy, or information between or within organizations or systems. They are an effective tool for visualizing and analyzing processes, identifying bottlenecks, and optimizing efficiency. In this article, we will discuss the basics of Sankey chart creation, as well as some common applications in different industries.
What are Sankey Charts?
Sankey charts are named after IBM engineer named George Sankey, who created the first visual representation of the flow of materials in a chemical reactor in 1960. Since then, these charts have been widely used in various fields, including manufacturing, logistics, finance, and environmental science, to help organizations understand and improve their processes.
How to Create a Sankey Chart?
To create a Sankey chart, you need to follow these steps:
- Identify the source and destination of the flow: This will help you determine the direction of the flow and the type of chart needed (input, output, or both).
- Gather the data: Collect information on the flow of materials, energy, or information, including quantities, timelines, and other relevant details.
- Choose a software: There are several software options available for creating Sankey charts, including Lucidchart, SmartDraw, Visio, and Adobe Illustrator.
- Create the chart: Use the software to draw the chart, adding the source and destination nodes, the flow lines, and any other relevant details.
- Customize the chart to fit your needs: Choose the appropriate colors, fonts, and other visual elements to make the chart easy to understand and interpret.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be used in various industries to analyze and optimize processes. Here are some examples of the industries that commonly use Sankey charts:
- Manufacturing: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of raw materials, work-in-process, and finished products in a manufacturing plant. This can help identify bottlenecks and optimize production processes.
- Logistics: Sankey charts can be used to analyze the flow of goods between different stages of transportation, such as loading, unloading, and distribution. This can help improve the efficiency of logistics operations and reduce costs.
- Finance: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of money between different accounts, including loans, investments, and cash transactions. This can help identify profitable investments and reduce risk.
- Environmental Science: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of pollutants between different stages of a chemical or industrial process. This can help identify sources of pollution and develop strategies to reduce waste and improve environmental performance.
- Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods and services between different organizations in a supply chain. This can help identify bottlenecks, improve communication and collaboration, and reduce lead times.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a useful visualization tool for understanding and improving processes in various industries. By following the steps outlined above, you can create a Sankey chart to analyze and optimize your own operations.
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.
