Unleashing the Power of Sankey Charts for Process Visualization

Sankey charts are a powerful and concise way to visualize the flow of materials, information, or energy through a system. They are widely used in various fields such as manufacturing, logistics, and financial management to better understand and optimize the flow of resources. In this article, we will explore how to create Sankey charts, their applications, and how they can be used to improve process visibility and understanding.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that represent the flow of materials or energy between different nodes (also known as “entities”) in a system. They are named after the British engineer Charles Sankey, who invented the first Sankey chart in the 1920s. The chart consists of two main components: a flow network and a set of nodes.

The flow network represents the flow of materials or energy between the nodes, and it is usually represented as an acyclic directed graph. Each node in the graph corresponds to an entity in the system, and the edges represent the flow of materials or energy between the nodes.

The Sankey chart can be used to illustrate the flow of materials or energy through a system and identify areas where waste or inefficiencies exist. The chart highlights the direct connections between entities, showing which entities are the primary sources or consumers of materials or energy. This enables a process to identify opportunities for improvement, such as reducing waste or optimizing resource usage.

How to Create Sankey Charts

Creating a Sankey chart is a simple process that involves the following steps:

1. Identify the flow network: The first step in creating a Sankey chart is to determine the flow network that represents the flow of materials or energy in the system. This can be based on data such as production reports, transportation schedules, or energy usage statistics.
2. Choose the nodes and edges: Next, determine the nodes and edges that make up the flow network. The nodes should represent the entities in the system, while the edges represent the flow of materials or energy between the entities.
3. Determine the direction of the edges: The direction of the edges in the flow network represents the direction of the flow of materials or energy. For example, if the flow network represents the movement of goods from a factory to a distribution center, the edges represent the flow of goods from one node to another.
4. Generate the chart: Use a Sankey chart generator or software to create the chart based on the flow network and direction of the edges. There are several online tools available that can help create Sankey charts, such as Sankey Flowchart, SankeyMaps, and Sankey Cube.
5. Customize the chart: Once the chart is generated, customize it to fit your needs. You can add labels, filters, or other elements to better understand the flow of materials or energy in the system.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts can be used in a variety of industries and applications to better understand and optimize the flow of resources. Some of the most common applications include:

1. Manufacturing processes: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials or components through a manufacturing process, highlighting areas where materials are being wasted or held up. This can help identify opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing waste.
2. Logistics and transportation: Sankey charts can be used to understand the flow of goods or supplies through a logistics or transportation system. This can help identify inefficiencies or areas where resources are being wasted, such as excess inventory or idle time.
3. Energy management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy through a system, highlighting areas where energy is being wasted or lost, such as inefficiencies in energy conversion

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.