FlowMaster: The Ultimate Guide to Sankey Charts for Flow Analysis and Optimization

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that is commonly used in engineering and process design to visualize and optimize flows. This ultimate guide to Sankey charts is designed to help you understand their creation, applications, and best practices for using them to optimize your processes.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart is a flowchart that is used to visualize and optimize a process or system. It is named after its creator, Charles Sankey, who patented the technique in 1917. Sankey charts are useful for showing the flow of materials, energy, or information through a system. They are particularly useful for identifying and optimizing bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in a process.

Creation of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts can be created using a variety of tools, including Microsoft Excel, Lucidchart, and Draw.io. These tools provide an easy way to create and edit Sankey charts. Alternatively, you can create a Sankey chart from scratch using a set of guidelines and best practices.

To create a Sankey chart from scratch, follow these steps:

1. Identify the process or system you want to visualize and optimize.
2. Determine the starting and ending points of the process.
3. Identify the flow of materials, energy, or information through the process.
4. Create a flowchart using arrows to represent the flow of materials, energy, or information.
5. Label the chart with the appropriate information, such as the flow rates or materials involved.
6. Use a tool to create the chart.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are used in a variety of fields, including engineering, manufacturing, and process design. Some common applications of Sankey charts include:

1. Identifying and optimizing bottlenecks in a process.
2. Visualizing the flow of materials, energy, or information through a system.
3. Evaluating the efficiency of a process.
4. Identifying opportunities for improvement.
5. Creating a flowchart that shows the flow of materials or energy through a plant or facility.

Best Practices for Using Sankey Charts

When using Sankey charts, there are several best practices to follow to get the most out of them. These include:

1. Use a clear and concise labeling system to ensure that the chart is easy to understand.
2. Include a legend to explain the symbols and abbreviations used in the chart.
3. Use arial view of the chart to make it easier to understand.
4. Use color to highlight important information and to differentiate between different types of flow (e.g. material flow, energy flow).
5. Use the chart to identify areas for improvement and prioritize actions accordingly.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a useful tool for visualizing and optimizing flows in a process or system. They are commonly used in engineering and process design and can be created using a variety of tools. It’s important to follow best practices when creating and using Sankey charts to ensure that they are effective and useful.

FAQs

1. What is a Sankey chart?
   A Sankey chart is a flowchart that is used to visualize and optimize a process or system.
2. Who created Sankey charts?
   Sankey charts were created by Charles Sankey, who patented the technique in 1917.
3. What are the best practices for using Sankey charts?
   When using Sankey charts, it’s important to use a clear and concise labeling system, include a legend, use arial view of the chart, use color to highlight important information and differentiate between different types of flow, and use the chart to identify areas for improvement and prioritize actions accordingly.
4. Can I create a Sankey chart by hand?
   Yes, you can create a Sankey chart by hand using a set of guidelines and best practices. However, it can be time-consuming and may not be as user-friendly as using a tool.

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.