Unleashing the Power of Process: Navigating Data with Sankey Charts
Processes are at the heart of every organization. From manufacturing and supply chain management to marketing and customer service, effective process management is essential for organizations to thrive in today’s fast-paced business environment.
One powerful tool for visualizing and optimizing processes is the Sankey chart. In this article, we’ll explore the basics of Sankey chart creation, as well as a few applications to help you unlock the full potential of these charts.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart, also known as a flowchart or directed acyclic graph, is a type of diagram that shows the flow of materials, information, or personnel between different entities or processes. Unlike a traditional flowchart, which uses directional arrows to indicate the flow of materials or information, a Sankey chart uses equal- sized circles to represent the entities or processes, and arrows to show the direction of flow.
One of the key advantages of a Sankey chart is that it allows you to easily identify bottlenecks, optimize processes, and make data-driven decisions. By visualizing the flow of materials, information, or personnel, you can gain insights into areas where improvements can be made, and identify opportunities for cost savings or process improvements.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart is a relatively straightforward process, which can be done using a variety of tools, including Microsoft Excel, Lucidchart, and SmartDraw.
To start, you’ll need to gather the data that you want to visualize on the chart. This may include information about the flow of materials, information, or personnel between different entities or processes. You can gather this data from a variety of sources, including databases, spreadsheets, and reports.
Once you have your data, you can use a Sankey chart tool to create your chart. Most tools allow you to import your data, and then use a variety of customization options to create your chart. This may include adding shapes, labels, and connecting lines to represent the flow of materials, information, or personnel.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing and optimizing processes, and can be used in a variety of industries and applications. Some common examples include:
- Supply chain management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials, information, and personnel between different suppliers, manufacturers, and distribution centers. This can help identify bottlenecks and opportunities for process improvements, such as reducing lead times or improving efficiency.
- Marketing and customer service: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of information and materials between different marketing channels, such as social media, email, and phone, as well as customer service channels. This can help identify bottlenecks and areas where customer support can be improved.
- Financial management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of financial information between different accounts, such as income, expenses, and assets. This can help identify areas where costs can be reduced or revenues can be increased.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing and optimizing processes, and can be used in a variety of industries and applications. By gathering and visualizing data on the flow of materials, information, or personnel between different entities or processes, you can gain insights into areas where improvements can be made, and identify opportunities for cost savings or process improvements.
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.
