In process synthesis, it is often useful to have generic design tools to allow process designers to assess various important aspects of chemical processes. In this work, a novel graphical visualisation tool, i.e. Piper diagram is proposed to trace the changes of composition of the process streams, while establishing relationship that contributes to various strategies for process design. This tool is generic in nature, hence is applicable to all processes and various process aspects that meet the objectives of the designer. Two case studies on the production of cinnamaldehyde and butanal are used to demonstrate the novel approach, with safety, environmental and economic aspects being investigated using the Piper diagram. (C) 2016 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.