Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are used to visualize the direction and magnitude of a flow in a system. They are particularly useful for identifying and optimizing waste in a process. In this article, we will explore how to create sankey charts and some of the ways in which they can be used to streamline processes.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts were originally developed as a way to visualize the flow of radioactive materials in the environment. They have since been applied to a wide variety of fields, including manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Sankey charts are particularly useful for identifying and addressing sources of waste in a process.

One of the distinguishing features of a Sankey chart is that it shows the flow not just through individual steps in a process, but also between those steps. This allows for a more comprehensive view of the flow in the system. Additionally, Sankey charts are easily modified to show different types of flow, such as material or information.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart is relatively straightforward. To get started, you will need the following:

• A flowchart or process diagram of the system you want to visualize
• A spreadsheet or tool that allows you to enter data and create charts, such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets
• A set of gates or directories that represent the different steps in the process
• A set of nodes or boxes that represent the individual steps in the process

To create the chart, follow these steps:

1. Open your spreadsheet or tool and create a new chart.
2. Insert a flowchart or process diagram into the chart.
3. Place the gates or directories in the appropriate positions on the chart.
4. Place the nodes or boxes in the appropriate positions on the chart to represent the steps in the process.
5. Connect the nodes or boxes to the gates or directories to represent the flow of the process.
6. Customize the chart to show the desired information and add any necessary labels.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts can be used in a wide variety of processes to identify and optimize waste. Some common applications of Sankey charts include:

1. Manufacturing: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials through a manufacturing process and identify any bottlenecks or areas where waste is generated.
2. Logistics: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods through a logistics process, identify any inefficiencies, and optimize the flow to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
3. Healthcare: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of patients through a healthcare process, identify any bottlenecks or areas where waste is generated, and optimize the flow to improve efficiency and reduce wait times.

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of a system and identifying opportunities for improvement. By creating a Sankey chart, you can gain a deeper understanding of the processes you operate and make informed decisions to streamline and optimize your operations.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a valuable tool for visualizing and optimizing the flow of a system. They are particularly useful for identifying sources of waste in a process and can be used in a wide variety of fields, including manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a Sankey chart to streamline your process and improve efficiency.

SankeyMaster

SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.