Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that was originally developed by Charles Sankey in the 19th century. They are commonly used to visualize and understand the flow of goods, services, or information in a system. Sankey charts are particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in a system and for developing strategies for optimizing efficiency. In this article, we will explore the basics of Sankey chart creation and how they can be applied to visualize and optimize the flow of resources in various systems.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that use flowlines and directed arrows to represent the movement of goods, services, or information through a system. The flowlines represent the various steps or processes in the system, and the arrows indicate the direction of the flow. Sankey charts are particularly useful for identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies in a system and for developing strategies for optimizing efficiency.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

To create a Sankey chart, you will need to gather some basic information about the system you are visualizing. This information should include the inputs and outputs of the system, the steps or processes involved in the system, and the flows of goods, services, or information through the system.

Once you have gathered this information, you can begin creating the Sankey chart. The first step is to determine the scale of the chart, which will help you to represent the various flows in the system. The scale should be based on the amount of flow in each area of the chart.

Next, you will create the flowlines, which represent the various steps or processes in the system. You can use arrows to indicate the direction of the flow. Then, you will place the flowlines on the chart and label them with the appropriate information.

Finally, you will use different colors or patterns to differentiate between the various flows in the system. This can help to make the chart more easily understood and to identify any bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the system.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can be used in a wide range of applications. Some of the most common applications of Sankey charts include:

1. Manufacturing and supply chain management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of raw materials, parts, and finished products through a manufacturing or supply chain system. This can help to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the system and to develop strategies for optimizing efficiency.
2. Project management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of tasks and deadlines in a project. This can help to identify dependencies and priorities and to develop strategies for completing the project on time and efficiently.
3. Marketing and sales: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of customers through a marketing or sales system. This can help to identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the system and to develop strategies for optimizing efficiency.
4. Quality control: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of materials or products through a quality control process. This can help to identify sources of defects and to develop strategies for improving the quality of the product.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can be used in a wide range of applications. By using Sankey charts, organizations can better understand and optimize the flow of resources in a system, leading to improved efficiency and productivity. If you are looking to create a Sankey chart or to apply it to a specific system, be sure to gather the necessary information and to use the appropriate scale and labeling to effectively communicate the flow of goods, services, or information.

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