Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that provide a visual representation of the flow of goods, services, or information in a process. They are particularly useful for visualizing complex, interconnected systems and identifying opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing waste. In this article, we will explore the basics of Sankey chart creation and some examples of how they can be used to analyze data and make recommendations.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are named after their inventor, Lawrence Sankey, who first developed them in the 1940s. They are a type of flowchart that are used to graphically represent the flow of goods, services, or information in a process. Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing the interconnections between different parts of a system and identifying opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing waste.

Sankey charts consist of a set of interconnected nodes, each of which represents a step in the process. These nodes are arranged in a circular layout, with the direction of the flow indicated by the arrows connecting them. The width of the arrows is proportional to the amount of flow through the process, and the color, shape, or other characteristics of the nodes can be used to distinguish between different types of steps or to highlight important information.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart requires just a few steps:

1. Gather data: The first step in creating a Sankey chart is to gather the data needed to represent the flow of goods, services, or information in the process. This data should include information on the steps involved in the process, the resources required at each step, and the inputs and outputs of the process.
2. Choose a software: There are several software programs available that can be used to create Sankey charts. Some of the most popular include Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Lucidchart.
3. Create the chart: Once the data has been gathered and a software program has been chosen, the chart can be created by arranging the nodes in a circular layout and connecting them with arrows to indicate the flow of goods, services, or information.

Examples of Applications

Sankey charts have a wide range of applications, including:

1. Process improvement: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods, services, or information in a process and identify opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing waste. By analyzing the flow of goods or services through a process, organizations can identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies and make improvements to improve overall performance.
2. Resource allocation: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of resources, such as money or personnel, through a process. This can help organizations make informed decisions about where to allocate resources to maximize efficiency and productivity.
3. Environmental management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials or energy through an industrial process, and can help identify opportunities for reducing waste and increasing sustainability.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a valuable tool for visualizing the flow of goods, services, or information in a process and identifying opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing waste. By organizing and analyzing data in this way, organizations can make informed decisions about improving their processes and increasing overall performance. With the right software and data, creating a Sankey chart is a straightforward process that can provide valuable insights into the workings of any system.

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