The world of workflow management can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with complex networks of people, organizations, and tasks. Traditional flowcharts may not capture the nuances of the way work is actually carried out.
Sankey charts offer a creative approach to analyzing such networks, offering a visual representation of activity flows that can help teams better understand their processes and identify bottlenecks. And with the right tools and techniques, a Sankey chart can be created to represent any complex workflow network, regardless of its size or complexity.
Sankey charts are based on the principles of supply and demand, which make them particularly useful for analyzing processes that involve multiple sources and sinks. In other words, they can help track how different elements within a network work together to achieve a common goal.
The basic structure of a Sankey chart is a series of “elements” that represent various entities or processes, linked by “flows” that represent the flow of activities. Each element can have multiple sources or sinks, and the flows between them can vary in size based on the frequency of the activity.
To create a Sankey chart, you’ll need to first identify the entities and activities that you want to represent in your network. These could include people, organizations, tasks, or processes, depending on the nature of your workflow. You’ll also need some tool to create the chart.
There are many visual tools available for creating Sankey charts, such as software like Lucidchart or Mindjet Quickdraw, as well as online tools like Lucidchart.com or Vizualize.io. Once your chart is created, you can download it as an SVG or PNG file, print it out, or even export it as a picture for use in presentations or reports.
One of the best things about using Sankey charts for analyzing workflows is that they offer a high level of detail and insight into the flow of information and activity within a network. By paying close attention to the flows between elements, you can identify which activities are most frequently happening, which resources are needed most frequently, and where potential bottlenecks may exist.
Sankey charts can also be used to reveal patterns and trends within a network, which can help teams make better-informed decisions about how to optimize workflows and reduce waste. For example, if you see that a particular task tends to be the bottleneck in a network, it may be worth focusing on that task and reducing the number of times it is performed.
In conclusion, Sankey charts offer a creative and engaging approach to analyzing complex workflow networks. With the right tools and techniques, you can create charts that provide valuable insights into the flow of information and activity within a network, and help teams make better-informed decisions to improve their workflows. So the next time you’re tasked with analyzing a complex workflow network, consider using Sankey charts to get a better understanding of its workings.

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.