Unleashing Productivity: Mastering the Art of Sankey Charts for Supply Chain Management

A Sankey chart is a visual representation of the flow of materials or information between different entities in a supply chain. It is a powerful tool for supply chain managers to understand the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations, identify bottlenecks, and optimize their processes for greater productivity. In this article, we will explore the basics of Sankey chart creation and application in supply chain management, and how they can be used to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

What is a Sankey chart?

A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that depicts the flow of materials or information between different entities in a supply chain. It is named after William Sankey, an engineer and statistician who developed the chart in the early 20th century. Sankey charts are widely used in engineering, chemistry, and other fields for visualizing complex systems and identifying opportunities for improvement.

How to create a Sankey chart

Creating a Sankey chart involves several steps, including:

1. Identifying the flow of materials or information that you want to visualize.
2. Gathering data on the flow, including the source and destination of the materials or information, the quantities involved, and the time it takes to move through the system.
3. Creating a flow network diagram, which represents the flow of materials or information between different entities in the system.
4. Labeling the diagram with appropriate symbols and colors to represent the flow of materials or information.
5. Using a Sankey chart software or tool to create the chart from the flow network diagram.

Some popular Sankey chart software and tools include:

• Processim
• SmartDraw
• Lucidchart
• Visio

Applications of Sankey charts in supply chain management

Sankey charts are particularly useful in supply chain management for the following applications:

1. Identifying bottlenecks: Sankey charts can be used to identify specific steps or processes in a supply chain that are taking the longest time to complete, or where there is the greatest amount of material or information being held up. These bottlenecks can then be targeted for improvement, such as optimizing production runs, reducing inventory, or improving shipping logistics.
2. Optimizing supply chain efficiency: Sankey charts can be used to analyze the flow of materials or information through a supply chain, and identify opportunities for improvement. For example, a Sankey chart may show that a particular supplier is taking a long time to deliver goods, while another supplier is much faster. By switching to the faster supplier, the supply chain can be optimized to reduce lead times and improve efficiency.
3. Reducing waste: Sankey charts can help identify areas where materials or information are being wasted or lost in the supply chain. For example, a Sankey chart may show that a particular component is being manufactured in large quantities but is only used in a small percentage of final products. By reducing the quantity of this component, or finding alternative uses for it, waste can be reduced.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a valuable tool for supply chain managers looking to improve efficiency and reduce waste. By understanding the flow of materials or information in a supply chain, and visualizing it through a Sankey chart, managers can identify bottlenecks, optimize supply chain processes, and ultimately improve productivity.

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.