Unleashing the Power of Sankey Charts for Process Management

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can help organizations better understand and manage their processes. They are particularly effective for process mapping, capacity planning, and identifying bottlenecks. In this article, we will explore the basics of creating Sankey charts and discuss several ways they can be used to improve process management.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are used to represent the flow of materials or information through a process. They are named after their creator, Charles Sankey, who first introduced them in the 1920s. A Sankey chart is essentially a directed graph with nodes (representing steps) and directed edges (representing the flow of materials or information) between the nodes. The edges are labelled with quantities or rates, which allow users to track the flow of materials or information.

The advantage of using Sankey charts is that they provide an easy-to-understand visual representation of a process that is complex or difficult to understand using traditional flowcharts. Sankey charts allow organizations to identify areas where processes can be improved, and to make better-informed decisions about process changes.

How to Create Sankey Charts

To create a Sankey chart, you can use a specialized software program such as SankeyMizer or Flowchart Editor. These programs are available for free, or you can purchase a more advanced program such as Microsoft Visio or Lucidchart for a fee. Alternatively, you can create a Sankey chart using a spreadsheet program such as Excel.

To start, you will need to gather information about your process, including the steps involved, the inputs and outputs, and any necessary data. You will then need to enter this information into a spreadsheet or software program, and create a directed graph with nodes (representing the steps) and directed edges (representing the flow of materials or information). You can then label the edges with quantities or rates to represent the flow of materials or information through the process.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts have many practical applications in process management. Some of the most common include:

1. Process Mapping

Sankey charts are particularly useful for process mapping, which involves creating a visual representation of a process to help organizations understand how it works. Process mapping is an important step in identifying areas where processes can be improved, and in making informed decisions about process changes.

2. Capacity Planning

Sankey charts can be used to identify the capacity requirements of various steps in a process. By creating a Sankey chart that shows the flow of materials or information through a process, organizations can identify bottlenecks and adjust their capacity accordingly.

3. Improving Processes

Sankey charts can help organizations identify areas where processes can be improved. For example, by analyzing a Sankey chart, organizations may identify a step in a process that is particularly time-consuming or inefficient, and decide to automate it to improve efficiency.

4. Decision Making

Sankey charts can be a valuable tool for decision making in process management. By analyzing a Sankey chart, organizations can identify areas where changes can be made to improve processes, and make informed decisions about process improvements.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can help organizations better understand and manage their processes. They are particularly effective for process mapping, capacity planning, and identifying bottlenecks. By using Sankey charts, organizations can improve their understanding of processes and make better-informed decisions about process improvements.

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