The Flow of Goods, Services, or Ideas in a Supply Chain
The Sankey chart is a popular visual tool used to represent the flow of goods, services, or ideas in a supply chain. It was invented byHenry Ganttin 1912, who used it to plan and track his shipbuilding business. Today, Sankey charts are widely used in logistics, operations management, and project management to visualize and analyze the flow of goods, services, or information.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that uses arrows to represent the flow of materials or information between different nodes (also called “entities”). The chart consists of a set of interconnected circles, each representing a node, and arrows connecting the circles to represent the flow of materials or information. The arrowheads often represent the direction of the flow or the type of process involved.
Sankey charts can be used to represent a wide range of flows, including:
- Production flows: The flow of materials or work in a production process, such as raw materials into a manufacturing facility, and finished goods out of the facility.
- Supply chain flows: The flow of goods or services between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers.
- Information flows: The flow of data or information between different departments or individuals within an organization.
Streamlining Processes with Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for streamlining processes and identifying areas for improvement. Here are some ways in which a Sankey chart can be used to streamline processes:
- Identifying bottlenecks: A Sankey chart can help identify where the flow of materials or information is slowed down. This can help pinpoint areas where improvements can be made to increase efficiency and reduce wait times.
- Identifying inefficiencies: By comparing the flow of materials or information before and after a change, a Sankey chart can help identify areas where the process is not as efficient as it could be.
- Optimizing processes: Once bottlenecks and inefficiencies have been identified, a Sankey chart can be used to optimize processes by adjusting the flow of materials or information to make the process more efficient.
Visualizing Supply Chain Flows with Sankey Charts
One of the key advantages of using a Sankey chart is the way in which it visualizes supply chain flows. By using arrows to represent the flow of goods or services, and connecting the arrows to different nodes, the chart provides a clear and intuitive visual representation of the supply chain as a whole.
In addition, Sankey charts are flexible and can be customized to suit the specific needs of the supply chain. For example, the chart can be used to represent the supply chain as a whole, or to focus on a specific stage of the supply chain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Sankey chart is a powerful visual tool for streamlining processes and analyzing supply chain flows. By using arrows to represent the flow of materials or information and connecting the arrows to different nodes, a Sankey chart provides a clear and intuitive visual representation of the supply chain as a whole. Whether you are looking to identify bottlenecks, optimize processes, or simply gain a better understanding of your supply chain, a Sankey chart is a valuable tool that can help you achieve your goals.
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