Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are widely used in various industries to visualize the flow and transformation of data or resources. They are particularly useful for identifying opportunities and optimizing processes. In this article, we’ll explore the power of Sankey charts and how to use them effectively to gain insights from your data.
What is a Sankey chart?
Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that represent the flow and transformation of data or resources. They were invented by Dr. Helmut Sankey in the 20th century and are named after him. Sankey charts consist of a set of directed arrows that represent the flow of data or resources between different nodes or entities. The chart is organized into three main sections: input, process, and output.
Advantages of using Sankey charts
One of the main advantages of using Sankey charts is that they provide a clear and concise visual representation of the flow of data or resources. Sankey charts allow you to easily identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in your processes or data flows. They are also useful for revealing dependencies and relationships between different entities or nodes in your system.
Another advantage of using Sankey charts is that they can be easily customized to reflect your specific needs and goals. You can add or remove nodes, modify the flow of data or resources, and adjust the chart to fit your desired format.
Applications of Sankey charts
Sankey charts have a wide range of applications in various industries, including engineering, finance, logistics, and healthcare. Here are a few examples of how Sankey charts are used:
Engineering: Optimizing production processes
Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of raw materials, parts, and finished products through a production process. This can help engineers identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement in the process. Engineers can also use Sankey charts to analyze the effectiveness of different production steps and determine the optimal amount and timing of inputs to achieve the desired output.
Finance: Analyzing financial transactions
Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of cash and assets between different accounts or entities. This can help financial analysts identify areas of risk, optimize cash management, and track the performance of different investments. Sankey charts can also be used to analyze the effectiveness of different financial transactions or investment strategies.
Logistics: Managing supply chain operations
Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods, services, or information through a supply chain. This can help logistics managers identify bottlenecks, improve communication, and optimize the routing of goods and services to meet customer needs. Sankey charts can also be used to analyze the effectiveness of different transportation or storage operations and identify opportunities for consolidation or optimization.
Healthcare: Tracking medication distribution
Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of medications through a hospital or clinic. This can help healthcare professionals identify areas of risk, optimize medication management, and track the distribution of medications to patients. Sankey charts can also be used to analyze the effectiveness of different medication delivery methods and identify opportunities for improvement.
How to create a Sankey chart
Creating a Sankey chart is relatively easy, even for those with little or no technical expertise. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create a Sankey chart:
- Gather your data: Collect information on the flow of data or resources between different entities or nodes in your system. This may include details on inputs, processes, and outputs, as well as any dependencies or relationships between nodes.
- Organize your data: Organize your data into a spreadsheet or spreadsheets that can be imported into a Sankey charting tool, such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or Lucidchart.
- Choose a chart
SankeyMaster
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