Flowmaster: Unleashing the Power of Sankey Charts for Process Improvement
Sankey charts are a powerful tool that can help organizations improve their processes and identify areas for improvement. They are particularly useful for visualizing the flow of materials, products, or services through a specific system or process. In this article, we will explore the basics of Sankey chart creation and how they can be used to improve business processes.
What are Sankey Charts?
Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that use arrows to represent the flow of materials, products, or services. Unlike traditional flowcharts that use boxes and lines, Sankey charts use circular symbols to represent nodes (interruptions or changes in direction) and arrows to represent the flow of materials or information. The chart is named after its creator, Dr. Helmut Sankey, a German engineer who developed the technique in the 1940s.
How are Sankey Charts used?
Sankey charts are used to visualize and analyze the flow of materials or processes in a system or process. They can be used to:
- Identify bottlenecks and areas of inefficiency in a process
- Determine optimal flow paths and routing
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and cost savings
- Evaluate the impact of new technologies or processes on a system
Sankey chart creation
To create a Sankey chart, you will need to follow these steps:
- Gather data: Collect data on the flow of materials, products, or services through the system or process in question. This may include data on production rates, delivery times, transportation methods, and other factors that affect the flow of materials.
- Identify nodes and links: Identify the nodes (interruptions or changes in direction) and links (the flow of materials or information) in the system or process. Use circular symbols to represent the nodes and arrows to represent the links.
- Draw the chart: Draw the Sankey chart using the circular symbols and arrows to represent the nodes and links. Use arrows to indicate the direction of flow and color-coding may be used to differentiate between different types of materials, products, or services.
Applications of Sankey Charts in Process Improvement
Sankey charts can be used to improve business processes in a variety of ways, including:
- Identifying bottlenecks: Sankey charts can be used to identify the bottlenecks in a process, and prioritize those areas for improvement. For example, if the chart shows that a particular step in the process takes the longest to complete, it may be an area that deserves extra attention.
- Improving routing: Sankey charts can be used to determine the optimal flow paths and routing for materials or products. The chart can show how materials or information can be routed through a process to minimize delays and improve efficiency.
- Identifying opportunities for cost savings: Sankey charts can be used to identify opportunities for cost savings in a process. For example, the chart may show that materials are being wasted at a particular step in the process, and identifying ways to reduce waste can lead to cost savings.
- Evaluating the impact of new technologies or processes: Sankey charts can be used to evaluate the impact of new technologies or processes on a system. For example, the chart may show how new technology or process changes can impact the flow of materials or information through the system.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool that can be used to improve business processes by visualizing the flow of materials, products, or services through a specific system or process. By identifying bottlenecks, improving routing, identifying opportunities for cost savings, and evaluating the impact of new technologies or processes, Sankey charts can help organizations gain a deeper understanding of their processes and identify areas for improvement.
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.
