Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are used to visually represent the flow of materials, energy, or information through a system. They are often used in environmental studies, supply chain management, and product development. In this article, we will explore the creation and applications of Sankey charts.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is used to represent the flow of materials, energy, or information through a system. The chart is named after its creator, Ted Sankey, who first developed the technique in the 1930s. The chart depicts the flow of materials or information between different areas of a system, and allows users to easily see how the flow is interrupted or redirected by various processes or equipment.
Creating a Sankey Chart
Sankey charts can be created using a variety of software tools, including Microsoft Excel, Lucidchart, or Sketch. To create a Sankey chart, you will need to gather information about the flow of materials, energy, or information through your system. This information may include the sources of input, the processes or equipment used in the flow, and the destinations of output.
Once you have gathered this information, you can use a software tool to create the chart. The software will typically ask you to specify the type of flow you want to represent, as well as the sources and destinations of the flow. The software will then generate a Sankey chart that shows the flow of materials, energy, or information through your system.
Applications of Sankey Charts
There are many different applications for Sankey charts, including environmental studies, supply chain management, and product development. Some of the ways in which Sankey charts are used include:
- Environmental studies: Sankey charts are often used to visualize the flow of materials through the environment. For example, a Sankey chart might be used to show the flow of materials from the extraction of raw materials to the production of finished products. This can help environmentalists to understand the impacts of different industrial processes on the environment.
- Supply chain management: Sankey charts are frequently used in supply chain management to visualize the flow of materials or information through a supply chain. For example, a Sankey chart might be used to show the flow of materials from suppliers to manufacturers, and then to customers. This can help supply chain managers to identify bottlenecks and improve the efficiency of their supply chain.
- Product development: Sankey charts can be used in product development to visualize the flow of materials or information through the development process. For example, a Sankey chart might be used to show the flow of materials or information from the design phase to the production phase. This can help product managers to identify opportunities for improvement and improve the efficiency of the product development process.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of materials, energy, or information through a system. They can be used in a variety of applications, including environmental studies, supply chain management, and product development. By using a Sankey chart, you can better understand the flow of materials, energy, or information through your system, and identify opportunities for improvement.
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