Streamlining Your Process with Sankey Charts: A Visual Guide to Efficiency and Automation

Sankey charts, also known as funnel charts, are a type of diagram used to visualize the flow of materials, money, or information through a system or process. They are a popular tool for identifying inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement. In this article, we will explore the basics of Sankey chart creation and how they can be used to streamline your process and improve efficiency.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that uses arrows and circles to represent the flow of materials, money, or information through a system or process. The arrows indicate the direction of the flow, while the circles represent the various nodes, or points in the process, where the flow can be diverted or changed. Sankey charts are particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas where processes can be improved.

Sankey Chart Creation

The process of creating a Sankey chart involves several steps:

1. Identify the flow you want to visualize, and the various nodes, or points, in the process where the flow can be diverted or changed.
2. Determine the type of chart you want to create based on the flow you want to visualize. Sankey charts are useful for visualizing the flow of materials, money, or information, but there are other types of charts available, such as flowcharts and Gantt charts.
3. Choose the type of diagramming tool you want to use to create your Sankey chart. There are many options available, both free and paid, such as Lucidchart, Microsoft Visio, and Gliffy.
4. Use the tool to create the chart, adding arrows and circles to represent the flow of the process, and labeling each node and arrow as needed.
5. Review and refine the chart as needed to ensure it accurately represents the flow of the process.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for streamlining processes, identifying inefficiencies, and improving overall productivity. They are useful in a variety of industries and applications, including:

1. Manufacturing and Supply Chain: Sankey charts are useful for visualizing the flow of materials through a manufacturing or supply chain process, and can be used to identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
2. Financial Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of money through a financial process, such as investment management or accounting, and can be used to identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce costs or increase profitability.
3. Project Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of a project, from start to finish, and can be used to identify areas where improvements can be made to increase productivity and reduce delays.
4. Customer Service: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of customer service interactions, from initial inquiry to resolution, and can be used to identify areas where improvements can be made to reduce wait times and improve customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a valuable tool for streamlining processes, identifying inefficiencies, and improving overall productivity. They are easy to create and can be used in a variety of industries and applications. By visualizing the flow of materials, money, or information through a process, Sankey charts provide a clear and concise view of the process, making it easier to identify areas for improvement and increase 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.