1. Introduction
2. What are Sankey Charts?
3. Advantages of Sankey Charts
4. Creating Sankey Charts
5. Applications of Sankey Charts
6. Conclusion
7. Introduction

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that visualize the flow of materials, services, or information in a system. They are particularly useful for identifying and optimizing bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in complex systems.

In this article, we will explore the basics of creating Sankey charts, the advantages of using them, and the various applications they can have in different fields.

1. What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are named after their creator, Jan van Eijcke. They were originally used to visualize the flow of air through a system, such as a ventilation system. However, they have since been adapted to many other types of flows, including materials, services, and information.

The basic structure of a Sankey chart is a set of interconnected circles, with arrows pointing from the source circle to the destination circle, indicating the flow of materials or information. The arrows can be directed multiple ways, indicating multiple possible paths.

2. Advantages of Sankey Charts

There are several advantages to using Sankey charts:

• They are easy to understand and interpret, allowing viewers to quickly grasp the flow of materials or information in a system.
• They are particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in a system, allowing for the identification of areas where improvements can be made.
• They can be used to visualize complex systems, making it easier to understand and analyze the flow of materials or information.

3. Creating Sankey Charts

To create a Sankey chart, you will need the following steps:

1. Identify the source and destination circles for your chart, along with the material or information being flowed.
2. Determine the direction of the flow by drawing arrows from the source circle to the destination circle.
3. Use a software tool, such as Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart, to create your chart.
4. Customize your chart as desired, such as adding labels or changing the color of the arrows.
5. Once your chart is completed, save it and use it as needed.
6. Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts have a wide range of applications across different fields, including:

• Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials and information in a manufacturing or supply chain system.
• Marketing and Sales: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of leads, customers, and information in a marketing or sales system.
• Financial Analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of cash, investments, or other financial information.
• Environmental Science: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of air, water, or other environmental information.

5. Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of materials or information in a system. They can help identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement, making them a useful tool for optimizing complex systems. With the right software tool, creating a Sankey chart is a simple and straightforward process, making them accessible to people of all backgrounds.

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.