Streamlining your supply chain can be a challenging but rewarding task. By optimizing your supply chain, you can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase profitability. One way to do this is by using Sankey charts, which provide a visual representation of the flow of materials and information throughout your supply chain.
What is a Sankey chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is used to visualize and analyze the flow of materials or information between different nodes in a system. It was originally developed by Japanese科学家 Shijiro Sankey in the 1930s to help identify and optimize the flow of materials in industrial processes. Sankey charts are particularly useful for supply chain analysis because they allow you to easily see the flow of materials and information between different parts of your supply chain.
How to create a Sankey chart
Creating a Sankey chart is a relatively straightforward process. To start, you will need to gather data on the flow of materials or information between different nodes in your supply chain. This data can be obtained from a variety of sources, including production and inventory records, shipping and receiving documentation, and customer orders.
Once you have collected your data, you will need to input it into a Sankey chart software program. There are a number of different programs available for this purpose, including Microsoft Excel and freely available alternatives like ProcessFlows and SmartDraw. These programs typically require you to create a diagram with multiple “nodes” representing different points in your supply chain and “links” to represent the flow of materials or information between these nodes.
Once your data is entered into the Sankey chart software program, you can use the program’s tools to create a Sankey chart. This typically involves specifying the type of chart you want to create (e.g. “material flow”) and adjusting the chart’s various settings to ensure that it accurately represents the flow of materials or information in your supply chain.
Applications of Sankey charts in supply chain management
Sankey charts are a valuable tool for supply chain management because they allow you to quickly and easily identify areas for optimization. Some of the specific applications of Sankey charts in supply chain management include:
- Identifying bottlenecks: Sankey charts can help you identify bottlenecks in your supply chain, which are areas where production or distribution is delayed or inefficient. By identifying these bottlenecks, you can take steps to optimize your supply chain and reduce delays.
- Traceability: Sankey charts can also be used to create a transparent and traceable supply chain. By showing the flow of materials and information between different nodes in your supply chain, you can ensure that materials are accounted for and can be quickly located if needed.
- Cost analysis: Sankey charts can be used to analyze the costs associated with each step of your supply chain. By doing so, you can identify areas where costs can be reduced and optimize your supply chain to increase profitability.
Overall, Sankey charts are a valuable tool for supply chain management because they provide a visual representation of the flow of materials and information throughout your supply chain. By using Sankey charts, you can identify areas for optimization, improve efficiency, and increase profitability.
SankeyMaster
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