Flow Mastery: Unleashing the Power of Sankey Charts for Process Improvement

Sankey charts are an excellent tool for visualizing and improving the flow of a process. They are especially useful for identifying and addressing bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and other issues that can impact the overall performance of a process. By using Sankey charts, you can gain a deeper understanding of your process and take steps to improve it.

What are Sankey charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that use arrows to represent the flow of materials, goods, or services through a process. They are named after William de Sancy Sankey, an American chemist who developed the chart in the early 20th century.

Sankey charts are particularly useful for analyzing and improving the efficiency of a process. They provide a clear and concise visual representation of the flow of materials or information through the process, highlighting any bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or other issues that may need to be addressed.

How to create Sankey charts

Creating Sankey charts is relatively easy, and there are a number of software tools available that can help you create and modify them. Here are the steps you can follow to create a Sankey chart:

1. Determine the scope of the process you want to analyze. This will help you determine the types of materials or information you need to include in the chart.
2. Gather all the relevant data and information about the process. This may include process flow diagrams, process maps, or other documents that describe the process.
3. Create the Sankey chart using a software tool such as Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, or Gliffy.
4. Identify and map the different steps in the process. This may include manufacturing, assembly, or distribution steps, depending on the nature of the process.
5. Use the arrows on the chart to represent the flow of materials or information through the process. For example, you might use arrows to indicate the movement of raw materials from one step to the next, or the movement of finished products from one stage to the next.
6. Review and modify the chart as necessary to ensure that it accurately represents the flow of materials or information through the process.

Applications of Sankey charts

Sankey charts are useful in a variety of settings, including manufacturing, supply chain management, and healthcare. They are particularly useful for identifying and addressing bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or other issues that can impact the overall performance of a process. Here are some examples of how Sankey charts can be used:

1. Manufacturing:Sankey charts are often used in manufacturing to identify and address issues with production efficiency. By analyzing the flow of materials through the manufacturing process, you can identify areas where production times can be reduced, or where resources can be allocated more effectively.
2. Supply chain management: Sankey charts are an excellent tool for analyzing and improving the efficiency of the supply chain. By visualizing the flow of goods or services through the supply chain, you can identify and address bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or other issues that can impact overall performance.
3. Healthcare: Sankey charts can be used to identify and address issues with patient flow in healthcare settings. By analyzing the flow of patients through the hospital, you can identify areas where patient wait times can be reduced, or where resources can be allocated more effectively.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are an excellent tool for visualizing and improving the flow of a process. They are particularly useful for identifying and addressing bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or other issues that can impact the overall performance of a process. By using Sankey charts, you can gain a deeper understanding of your process and take steps to improve it. Whether you are in manufacturing, supply chain management, or healthcare, Sankey charts can be used to improve the efficiency of your processes and improve patient flow.

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.