Sankey charts are a powerful and visually appealing way to represent the flow and dependencies between different elements in a system. They are commonly used to communicate the flow of materials, goods, or information, and can be used to visualize complex systems in a simple and intuitive way. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know to create and use Sankey charts effectively.

Table of Contents

1. What is a Sankey chart?

2. How to create a Sankey chart in Excel

3. Tips for interpreting Sankey charts

4. Best practices for using Sankey charts in business

5. Examples of Sankey charts in action

6. What is a Sankey chart?

Sankey charts were first introduced by Carroll Sankey, an engineer and statistician, in the 1920s. They are a type of flow chart that use arrows to represent the flow of materials or information, with the length and orientation of the arrows indicating the amount or direction of the flow. Sankey charts are often used to visualize the flow of materials through a manufacturing process, or the movement of information between different departments in an organization.

2. How to create a Sankey chart in Excel

Excel provides a built-in function called “Sankey” that makes it easy to create a Sankey chart. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a Sankey chart in Excel:

1. Open a new Excel workbook and press “Alt + F11” to open the Visual Basic Editor.
2. In the Visual Basic Editor, go to the “Insert” menu and select “Sankey.”

3. A new Sankey chart will be added to the workbook. You can then customize the chart by adjusting the flow lines, fonts, and colors.

4. Tips for interpreting Sankey charts

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool, but it is important to use them correctly in order to get the most out of them. Here are some tips for interpreting Sankey charts:

• The flow lines in a Sankey chart represent the amount or direction of the flow. The length of the flow lines can be adjusted to show the magnitude of the flow.
• The orientation of the flow lines can be adjusted to show the direction of the flow.
• The width of the flow lines can be adjusted to show the relative importance of the flow.

4. Best practices for using Sankey charts in business

Sankey charts are a versatile visualization tool that can be used in a wide range of business applications. Here are some best practices for using Sankey charts in business:

• Use a clear and consistent color scheme to make the chart easy to interpret.
• Use descriptive captions and labels to help explain the flow and dependencies in the chart.
• Use the chart to identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement in your business process.
• Use the chart to communicate the flow and dependencies in complex systems, such as supply chains or service processes.

5. Examples of Sankey charts in action

Here are a few examples of how Sankey charts are used in business:

1. Supply chain management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials or goods through a supply chain, highlighting bottlenecks and areas for improvement.
2. Process improvement: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of steps in a process, highlighting areas where process can be optimized.
3. IT infrastructure: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data and information through an IT infrastructure, highlighting areas where network traffic can be optimized.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful and visually appealing way to represent the flow and dependencies between different elements in a system. With its ability to clearly and easily communicate complex systems, Sankey charts are an excellent tool for business and process management.

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.