Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can help you understand the flow of data in your organization and identify opportunities for process improvement. In this article, we’ll explore how to create Sankey charts, what they can be used for, and some real-world examples of how organizations have used them to optimize their processes.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is used to visualize the flow of materials or information between different processes or departments within an organization. It was originally developed by Charles Sankey in the early 20th century as a way to analyze and optimize the flow of materials in manufacturing plants. Today, Sankey charts are widely used in a variety of industries to help organizations improve their processes and increase efficiency.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart is relatively easy using specialized software such as Visio, Lucidchart, or SmartDraw. These tools provide templates specifically designed for creating Sankey charts, which include shapes and connectors that make it easy to create the chart without having to start from scratch each time. Here’s an example of how you might create a simple Sankey chart:
- Open your chosen software and select the “Sankey” chart template from the available options. This will typically involve selecting “Flowchart,” “Sankey,” or some similar option from the drop-down menu.
- Drag and drop the various shapes and connectors needed for your chart onto the canvas, such as nodes (representing processes) and links (representing material or information flows). You can customize these shapes by changing their properties, such as adding text or changing their color or shape.
- Connect your nodes using links, just like you would with any other flowchart. You can adjust the position and direction of these links to represent different aspects of your data flow. For example, if you have multiple departments within your organization that receive input from suppliers, you could add links between these departments and suppliers on one side of the chart and between them on the other side (representing output).
- Customize your chart as desired by adding labels, formatting text, etc., until you have created a visual representation that accurately reflects your data flow. You may need to experiment with different layouts or configurations until you achieve this balance between clarity and complexity.
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.
