The Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is used to represent the flow of knowledge or the movement of ideas between different concepts or categories. It was originally developed by Jiro Sankey, a British chemist and statistician, in the 1940s for use in analyzing the flow of organic compounds in chemical reactions. Over the years, the Sankey chart has been applied to various fields, including knowledge management, project management, and business analysis. In this article, we will discuss how to create Sankey charts, the different applications of the chart, and how to use it to streamline your knowledge.

Creating a Sankey chart

To create a Sankey chart, you will need a software application that supports the chart type. Some popular tools for creating Sankey charts include Microsoft Excel, Lucidchart, and SmartDraw. Here are the steps to create a Sankey chart using Microsoft Excel:

1. Open Excel and create a new worksheet.
2. Insert a shape to represent the first concept or category in the flow.
3. Type the name of the concept inside the shape.
4. Next, insert a bubble to represent the input or source of the flow.
5. Type the name of the input inside the bubble.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 for each subsequent step in the flow.
7. Connect the bubbles using arrows to represent the flow of the information.
8. Optionally, you can format the chart by adding colors, shapes, or other design elements to make it more visually appealing and easier to understand.

Using Sankey charts for knowledge management

One of the most common applications of the Sankey chart is in knowledge management. It can be used to visualize the flow of knowledge between different concepts, individuals, or departments within an organization. By creating a Sankey chart, you can identify areas where knowledge is scarce or where there are bottlenecks in the flow of information. This can be helpful in identifying potential gaps in knowledge and developing strategies to improve the flow of information.

Applications of Sankey charts in other fields

The Sankey chart can be used in various fields, including project management, business analysis, and IT strategy. Here are some examples:

• Project management: A Sankey chart can be used to visualize the flow of resources, tasks, and milestones in a project. This can help project managers identify potential risks, monitor progress, and adjust their plans as necessary.
• Business analysis: A Sankey chart can be used to visualize the flow of ideas or information between different departments or stakeholders within an organization. This can help business analysts identify areas where communication or collaboration can be improved.
• IT strategy: A Sankey chart can be used to visualize the flow of data or information between different systems or components in an organization’s IT infrastructure. This can help IT professionals identify potential bottlenecks or areas for optimization and improve the overall efficiency of the system.

Using Sankey charts to streamline your knowledge

In addition to applying Sankey charts to external knowledge management processes, you can also use them to streamline your own personal knowledge management. By creating a Sankey chart that represents the flow of information and ideas that you come across, you can better understand how different concepts and ideas are related and where they fit within your overall knowledge framework. This can help you organize your thoughts, identify gaps in your knowledge, and develop strategies for further learning and growth.

In conclusion, the Sankey chart is a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of knowledge or information between different concepts or categories. It can be used in various applications, including knowledge management, project management, and IT strategy. By creating and using Sankey charts, you can gain valuable insights into the flow of ideas and knowledge within your organization and streamline your own personal knowledge management process.

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