Unleashing the Power of Sankey Charts: Visualizing Your Data for Better Decision Making

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are used to visualize data, such as the flow of materials or money, and the various stages or steps involved in the process. They are especially useful for showing the relative amounts or values of the items flowing through a process, and can be used to identify potential bottlenecks or areas for improvement.

In this article, we will explore the basics of creating and using Sankey charts, and how they can be used to make better decisions based on data.

Creating Sankey Charts

Sankey charts can be created using a variety of tools, including Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, or even draw.io, which is a free online diagramming tool. To create a Sankey chart, start by adding a new chart to your document, and selecting the flowchart style. Then, add the first node with the first step in the process.

Next, add the flow lines from each node to the next, until all the nodes have been connected. You can use the directionality option to show the direction of flow, or use the flow lines to show the relative amounts flowing between nodes.

Once you have created the chart, you can customize it to your needs by changing the colors, adding labels, and more. You can also add conditional formatting to make it easier to identify areas of the chart that may need further analysis.

Using Sankey Charts for Better Decision Making

The main advantage of using Sankey charts is that they allow you to easily identify patterns and trends in your data. When you see a flowchart that shows the relative amounts flowing through a process, you can easily identify where there may be opportunities for improvement or where bottlenecks may exist.

For example, let’s say you run a retail store and you want to determine which products are selling the most. You could create a Sankey chart showing the flow of money through your store, and use the chart to identify which products are generating the most revenue. From there, you could use this information to adjust your inventory or marketing strategy to focus on the products that are most popular with your customers.

Another example could be a manufacturing company looking to identify areas for cost savings. By creating a Sankey chart showing the flow of materials through their production process, they can easily identify where there may be opportunities for streamlining the process or reducing waste.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing data and making better decisions based on that data. By using these charts, you can easily identify patterns and trends, and take action to improve your processes and increase efficiency. So, the next time you need to make a decision based on data, consider using a Sankey chart to make the process easier and more effective.

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.