Streamlining processes is essential for businesses to improve efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction. One powerful tool that can help streamline processes is the Sankey chart. This type of flowchart is used to represent the flow of materials, information, or services between different departments or processes. In this article, we will explore how to create Sankey charts and some of the applications they can be used for.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that focus on the movement of materials or information between different processes or departments. They are named after J.H. Sankey, an English chemist who developed the chart as a way to visualize the flow of materials through a chemical process. Sankey charts are particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in production or service processes.

How to Create Sankey Charts

Creating a Sankey chart is relatively easy using a flowcharting tool such as Visio, Lucidchart, or draw.io. The process involves creating a flowchart using the standard flowchart shapes such as rectangles, diamonds, and lines. Then, you can add arrows to represent the flow of materials or information between different processes or departments.

To create a Sankey chart, follow these steps:

1. Open a flowcharting tool and create a new document.
2. Select the flowchart type as Sankey chart.
3. Add the necessary shapes such as rectangles, diamonds, and lines to represent the different processes or departments.
4. Add arrows to represent the flow of materials or information between different processes or departments.
5. Customize the chart as needed, such as adding labels or changing the colors and themes.
6. Save the chart and export it to a desired format.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts have a wide range of applications in different industries and sectors. Here are some of the most common applications:

1. Manufacturing and Production: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials through a manufacturing process, highlighting bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
2. Service Processes: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of information or services between different departments or processes in a service organization. This helps identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
3. Project Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of tasks and objectives in a project, allowing stakeholders to track progress and identify potential bottlenecks.
4. Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials or information through a supply chain, identifying areas for improvement and potential risks.
5. Process Improvement: Sankey charts can be used to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement in any process, allowing organizations to improve productivity and efficiency.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for streamlining processes and identifying areas for improvement. By visualizing the flow of materials or information between different processes or departments, they help organizations identify potential bottlenecks, improve productivity, and enhance customer satisfaction. Creating a Sankey chart is easy and can be done using a variety of flowcharting tools. So, if you are looking to streamline your processes and improve your organization’s efficiency, give Sankey charts a try.

SankeyMaster

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