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

When it comes to managing and optimizing processes, visual aids can be an incredibly powerful tool. One such tool is the Sankey chart, which is a type of flowchart that is specifically designed to show the movement of materials, information, or other resources between different nodes or processes.

Sankey charts can be used to identify bottlenecks, analyze process efficiency, and suggest areas for improvement. They are a particularly useful visualization for processes that involve multiple inputs, outputs, or conversions, as they allow you to see the flow of materials or information in a clear and easy-to-understand manner.

In this article, we will take a closer look at Sankey charts, their creation, and their applications in business and process optimization.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is named after the Dutch engineer Leo Sankey, who developed it in the 1930s. It is a type of network diagram that is used to show the flow of materials or information between different nodes or processes.

The chart consists of a set of nodes or boxes, each of which represents a process or step in a workflow. The boxes are connected by directed arrows, which represent the movement of materials or information between processes. The direction of the arrows shows which process is the input or output of the other, and the length of the arrows can be used to show the amount or intensity of the flow.

The beauty of a Sankey chart is that it allows you to easily see the flow of materials or information between different processes, and identify potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement. It is a powerful tool for process optimization, as it allows you to see the big picture and make data-driven decisions about how to improve your processes.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart is relatively easy, as there are many tools available that allow you to create and edit flowcharts online. Here are the steps for creating a Sankey chart using the Smartsheet flowchart tool:

1. Log in to your Smartsheet account and navigate to the process flowchart tool.
2. Click the “New Flowchart” button and select the “Sankey” type from the drop-down menu.
3. Add your nodes or boxes to the chart by clicking and dragging to create new boxes and connecting them with arrows.
4. Customize the look and feel of your chart by adding colors, icons, and other design elements.
5. Use the “Save” button to save your chart and use it to track the flow of materials or information.

Other tools that you can use to create Sankey charts include Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, and Gliffy. These tools offer similar functionality and user-friendly interfaces, so it’s easy to pick one that works best for you.

Applications of Sankey Charts in Business and Process Optimization

Sankey charts have a wide range of applications in business and process optimization, as they are a powerful tool for visualizing and analyzing the flow of materials or information between different processes. Some of the most common applications include:

1. Process mapping and analysis: Sankey charts are a great way to map out and analyze the flow of materials or information in a process. This can help you identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
   2.供应链管理: Sankey charts are commonly used in supply chain management to track the movement of goods between suppliers and customers. This can help you identify potential bottlenecks or problems in the supply chain, and make data-driven decisions to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
2. Customer service: Sankey charts can be used to analyze the flow of customer interactions, including phone calls, emails, and chat requests. This can help you identify areas where customer service can be improved, and track the effectiveness of any changes made.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful

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