Sankey charts are a powerful tool for analyzing and visualizing processes or flows. This type of chart has become increasingly popular in process analysis and management, allowing users to easily visualize complex data and extract valuable insights. In this article, we will dive deep into the secrets of sankey charts and explore their applications in process analysis.

The Basics of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts, also known as process flow charts or flowcharts, are a form of graph that visualize complex networks of data. They typically consist of a series of lines that represent data flows and a series of nodes or points that represent different variables or components within the network.

To create a sankey chart, you need to start with a clear understanding of the data you want to visualize. This means defining what you want to know and how the data will be used.

The data in a sankey chart is often represented by a flow or a “stream” of information. This can be done using different colors or colorschemes for different variables or processes involved. This helps stakeholders to quickly identify which variables are driving the flow of information and can be used for identifying potential bottlenecks, bottlenecks, delays, and other issues that may be hindering the effectiveness of the flow.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are commonly used in process analysis to visualize how different data flow between different nodes or variables. This tool is particularly useful in the following areas:

1. Quality improvement: Sankey charts can help identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks in the process, and can allow process managers to make changes to improve productivity and reduce costs.

2. Forecasting: By analyzing the flow of information, companies can make more accurate predictions about the likelihood of various processes or variables.

3. Project management: Sankey charts can be used to analyze the flow of information in a project, and can help identify potential bottlenecks or delays.

4. Operational improvement: By analyzing the flow of information in operational processes, companies can identify areas where they can improve and reduce wasted effort.

Tips for Creating and Interpreting Sankey Charts

Creating a sankey chart involves several steps:

1. Define the variables and process: Start by defining the variables or processes involved, and determine which information you want to visualize.

2. Choose a color scheme: Choose a color scheme that represents the information you want to visualize, and that will be easy for stakeholders to understand.

3. Choose the appropriate flow and node shapes: Choose flow or node shapes that accurately represent the information you’re visualizing.

4. Add flow arrows: Flow arrows must be added to represent the flow of information between different nodes.

5. Label your chart: Each node and flow arrow should have a label that describes the information it represents.

Once the chart is created, several features can be explored:

1. Flow paths: Analyze the flow paths between different nodes to get a clearer picture of the process and identify potential bottlenecks.

2. Flow totals: Calculate the total amount of flow for each variable or process to get a picture of the overall process flow.

3. Flow balances: Identify any imbalances in the flow of information, which can indicate potential bottlenecks or delays.

4. Flow colors: Use colors to identify the different types of flows, such as incoming, outgoing, or transfer flows.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for analyzing and visualizing data, and can be used to make more informed decisions in a variety of industries. By following the tips discussed in this article, you can create effective sankey charts that will enable you to make better-informed decisions and improve the overall efficiency of your processes.

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