Flowcharting the Future: Unleashing Innovation with Sankey Charts

Flowcharts are a popular tool used for visualizing the flow of processes, from the simple to the complex. They’ve been used for decades in fields such as engineering, manufacturing, and marketing. However, the traditional flowchart may not always be sufficient for capturing innovative ideas and mapping out complex systems. That is where Sankey charts come in.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that use directed branches to represent the flow of materials or information between different elements. They can be used to represent both physical and abstract processes, such as the flow of goods, services, or ideas.

Using directed branches

Sankey charts use directed branches to represent the flow between different elements. Unlike traditional flowcharts, which use arrows to indicate the direction of the flow, directed branches show the source and destination of the flow. This makes it easier to identify bottlenecks and areas where improvements can be made.

Using labels and symbols

Sankey charts also allow the use of labels and symbols to represent different elements, making them more powerful and flexible than traditional flowcharts. For example, you can use different shapes or colors to represent different types of processes or materials, making it easier to understand complex systems.

Applications

Sankey charts are particularly useful in innovation mapping and process management. They can be used to map out the flow of ideas or information through a project or organization, helping to identify opportunities for improvement and collaboration. They can also be used to visualize the complex relationships between different elements in a system, such as supply chains or value chains.

In conclusion, flowcharting is an important tool for visualizing and understanding complex systems, and Sankey charts offer a powerful and flexible way to represent these systems. By using directed branches and labels and symbols, Sankey charts can help you better understand and improve the flow of materials or information in your organization.

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.