Sankey charts are a graphical representation of the flow of materials, energy, or information through a process. They are particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement in complex systems. In this article, we will explore the basics of Sankey chart creation, as well as some practical applications for optimizing workflows.
What is a Sankey Chart?
Sankey charts were developed by Helmut Sankey in the 1960s as a way to visualize the flow of materials through a system. They are particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement in complex systems. Sankey charts are composed of three interconnected components: the source, the sink, and the process. The source is located at the top of the chart, and the sink is located at the bottom. The process is the flow of materials or energy between the source and the sink.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart is relatively straightforward. The first step is to identify the source and sink of the process you want to visualize. Next, you will need to gather information about the flow of materials or energy through the process. This information can be represented by nodes on the chart, with the source at the top and the sink at the bottom. Finally, you will need to use a flowcharting tool or software to draw the chart and connect the nodes to form the flow of materials or energy.
Some Basic Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are an effective tool for identifying areas for improvement in complex systems. Some common applications include:
- Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials through a supply chain, helping to identify bottlenecks and areas for optimization.
- Environmental Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of pollutants through a waste management system, helping to identify areas for improvement and reduce environmental impact.
- Financial Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of funds through a financial system, helping to identify areas for improvement and optimize resources.
- Healthcare Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of patients through a healthcare system, helping to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a useful tool for visualizing the flow of materials, energy, or information through a process. They are particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement in complex systems. With the help of flowcharting tools or software, creating a Sankey chart can be a straightforward process. Some common applications of Sankey charts include supply chain management, environmental management, financial management, and healthcare management.
SankeyMaster
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