Raking the Leaves: Exploring Sankey Charts for Process Visualization

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are particularly useful for visualizing and analyzing processes or flows of goods, services, or information. They were invented by Helmut Sankey in the mid-20th century and have since become a popular tool for process analysts, logistics managers, and anyone else interested in understanding how things move from one place to another or one step to another within a system. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of Sankey chart creation and their many applications.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is used to show the movement of goods, services, or other items between different nodes or stages in a process. The chart is named after its inventor, Helmut Sankey, a German engineer who used it to visualize the flow of materials within his company’s supply chain. In a Sankey chart, each node represents either a supplier, a buyer, a processing step, or some other type of link in the process. The arrows between the nodes show the direction and volume of the flow.

Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing processes that involve multiple stages or steps, and for identifying opportunities for improvement or optimization. For example, a Sankey chart for a supply chain might show how materials move from suppliers to production facilities to distribution centers, and might reveal bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the process.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart is relatively straightforward, as long as you have the necessary data. Here are the general steps to follow:

1. Identify the process or flow that you want to visualize using a Sankey chart.
2. Gather the necessary data on the process, including the nodes and their properties, such as suppliers, buyers, processing steps, etc.
3. Arrange the nodes on the chart in the order of their importance or value in the process.
4. Determine the direction and volume of each flow by assigning values to the arrows on the chart.
5. Label the chart with the appropriate names and symbols.

Once you have created your Sankey chart, you can use it to identify areas for improvement or optimization and to track progress over time.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for process visualization and analysis, and they have many applications in a variety of fields. Here are just a few examples:

1. Supply chain management: Sankey charts are frequently used in supply chain management to visualize the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. They can help managers identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in the supply chain.
2. Logistics planning: Sankey charts are also used in logistics planning to visualize the flow of goods and services within a distribution network. They can help planners identify opportunities for consolidation, optimize the use of resources, and improve the efficiency of the logistics system.
3. Financial analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of financial transactions, such as the movement of money between different accounts or entities. They can help analysts identify areas of risk or opportunity, and track the performance of financial instruments over time.
4. Environmental management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of pollutants or other environmental resources through a system or process. They can help managers identify sources of pollution or degradation, and develop strategies for reducing or minimizing environmental impact.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a useful tool for visualizing and analyzing processes and flows of goods, services, or other items. By using a Sankey chart, you can gain a better understanding of how things move from one place to another, identify areas for improvement or optimization, and track progress over time. Whether you are a process analyst, a logistics manager, or someone interested in environmental management, Sankey charts can be a valuable resource for exploring the world of processes and flows.

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