Flow with Function: The Power of Sankey Charts for Process Visualization

Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that are used to represent the flow of materials, money, or information between different entities or processes. They are often used in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and finance to visualize and understand supply chain processes, as well as to identify opportunities for improvement. In this article, we will explore how to create a Sankey chart and the various ways in which it can be used to improve business processes.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Sankey charts are created using a specialized software program called Sankey Flowchart or Sankey. This software is available for both Windows and macOS and can be downloaded for free from the Sankey website. In addition to Sankey, there are a number of other flowcharting tools available that can be used to create Sankey charts, such as Lucidchart, SmartDraw, and Visio.

Creating a Sankey chart is relatively easy, especially if you are familiar with flowcharting. To start, you will need to define the input and output regions of your diagram. These are the areas where materials, money, or information enter and exit a process. You will then add nodes to these regions to represent the entities or processes involved in the flow.

Next, you will use arrows to connect the nodes and define the direction of the flow. This will show how materials, money, or information move from one region to another. Finally, you will use labels and formatting to provide additional information about the diagram, such as the names of the entities or processes.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are used in a variety of industries to visualize and understand supply chain processes. For example, in manufacturing, a Sankey chart can be used to show the flow of materials through a production line, from raw materials to finished products. This can help identify areas where materials are being wasted or延误, and can inform decisions about process improvements.

In finance, a Sankey chart can be used to visualize the flow of money between different accounts or entities, such as loans or investments. This can help identify areas where money is being transferred inefficiently, and can inform decisions about investment strategies.

Sankey charts can also be used to visualize other processes, such as information flow or knowledge transfer. This can help identify areas where information is being lost or misused, and can inform decisions about process improvements.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing and understanding various processes. They are easy to create and can be customized to suit the needs of different industries and processes. Whether you are a manufacturing professional, a finance executive, or someone working in another field, a Sankey chart can be a valuable tool for improving business processes and making informed decisions.

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