Streamlining your flow is a crucial aspect of improving efficiency and productivity. One way to visualize and optimize your process is by using Sankey charts, a powerful flowcharting tool that helps you identify and eliminate unnecessary steps, understand your bottlenecks, and improve your workflow.

In this article, we’ll show you how to create and use Sankey charts to streamline your flow. We’ll also explore some real-world applications of Sankey charts to help you see their versatility and potential.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart is a flowchart that uses a directed graph with curved arrows to represent the flow of materials, information, or resources. Unlike traditional flowcharts that use solid arrows to indicate the direction of flow, Sankey charts use curved arrows to show both the source and the destination of the flow.

This makes Sankey charts particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks, waste, and opportunities for improvement in your process. By examining the direction of flow and the resources involved, you can gain a deeper understanding of your system and make informed decisions to optimize your flow.

Creating a Sankey Chart

To create a Sankey chart, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps:

1. Choose a Sankey charting tool: There are many Sankey charting tools available, both online and offline. Some popular options include Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, and SmartDraw. Choose a tool that you’re comfortable using and that can handle the scale and complexity of your project.
2. Define your flow: Start by defining the steps in your process. Identify the inputs and outputs, and determine the direction of flow for each step.
3. Create the Sankey chart: Use the tool to create a flowchart with directed arrows that represent the flow of materials, information, or resources. Consider adding labels and annotations to help you understand the process more clearly.
4. Analyze your chart: Once you have your Sankey chart, it’s time to analyze it. Look for bottlenecks, waste, or opportunities for improvement. Identify any steps that are unnecessary or redundant, and consider ways to streamline your flow.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are a versatile tool that can be applied to a wide variety of processes. Here are a few examples of how Sankey charts are used in real-world applications:

1. Manufacturing: Sankey charts are often used to visualize and optimize the flow of materials in a manufacturing process. By examining the inputs and outputs and the direction of flow, manufacturers can identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement, such as reducing wait times or optimizing production schedules.
2. Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts are also useful for analyzing and optimizing the flow of materials in a supply chain. By visualizing the flow of goods, suppliers can identify opportunities for improvement in areas such as inventory management or transportation.
3. Service Delivery: Service-oriented organizations can use Sankey charts to visualize and optimize the flow of services, such as customer service or technical support. By identifying bottlenecks and optimizing service delivery, organizations can improve customer satisfaction and enhance their overall performance.

Conclusion

Streamlining your flow is essential for improving efficiency and productivity. Sankey charts are a powerful tool that can help you visualize and optimize your process, identify bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement, and make informed decisions to optimize your workflow. By following the simple steps outlined in this article and exploring the many applications of Sankey charts, you can unlock the magic of flowcharting and transform your business processes.

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.