Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that help you understand the flow of data between different entities. They are particularly useful when you want to identify bottlenecks, optimize processes, or track the performance of your systems. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating Sankey charts, with a focus on practical applications in the workplace.

What are Sankey charts?

Sankey charts are named after Irish physicist and mathematician William Sankey, who invented the chart in the early 1900s. These charts are used to represent the flow of materials, energy, or data through a system or process. They consist of two curved arrows, connected by a circular sector, that represent the input and output of the system. The flow is represented by the arrows, which indicate the direction and amount of data or resources entering or leaving the system.

Sankey charts can be used to represent complex systems or processes, making it easy to identify patterns and relationships that might otherwise be obscured by data tables or graphs. By visualizing the flow of data, you can gain insights into areas where improvements can be made, identify bottlenecks, and track the performance of your systems over time.

How to create Sankey charts

There are several tools available for creating Sankey charts, including Gephi, ProcessOn, and Sankeyflow. In this article, we will focus on using ProcessOn to create Sankey charts. Here are the steps:

1. Sign up for a free account on ProcessOn.
2. Click on the “Task” button, and then select “Sankey chart.”
3. Fill in the necessary information, including the name of the chart, the variables to be visualized, and the input and output values for each variable.
4. Choose the input and output values for each variable, and configure the visualization settings (such as the size and color of the arrows).
5. Preview and export the Sankey chart.

Tips for creating effective Sankey charts

Here are some tips for creating effective Sankey charts:

1. Use descriptive variable names: It is important to use descriptive and meaningful variable names, as this will help you and others understand the flow of data more easily.
2. Identify bottlenecks: Sankey charts can help you identify bottlenecks in your systems, where data or resources are being consumed or produced at a higher rate than elsewhere in the process. This can be particularly useful for identifying areas where improvements can be made.
3. Track performance over time: Sankey charts can be used to track the performance of your systems over time, by visualizing the flow of data or resources through the system. This can help you identify trends and patterns, and make decisions based on this information.

Applications of Sankey charts in the workplace

Sankey charts can be a valuable tool for organizations looking to streamline their workflows and improve their systems. Here are some examples of how Sankey charts can be used in the workplace:

1. Production flow: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials or resources through a production line, helping identify bottlenecks and areas where improvements can be made.
2. Supply chain management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials or resources through a supply chain, helping identify potential issues or areas where cost savings can be achieved.
3. Customer service: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of customer inquiries or support requests through a support system, helping identify areas where improvements can be made.

In conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can help organizations understand the flow of data between different entities. By visualizing the flow of data, you can gain insights into areas where improvements can be made, identify bottlenecks, and track the performance of your systems over time.

There are several tools available for creating Sankey charts, including Gephi, ProcessOn, and Sankeyflow. No matter which tool you choose, it is important to use descriptive and meaningful variable names, and to identify bottlen

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