Flow diagrams, also known as Sankey charts, are a type of data visualization that uses arrows and nodes to show the distribution and flow of quantities from one set of categories to another. The term “Sankey” comes from Captain Matthew Henry Sankey, who in the 1800s created the first Sankey diagram to display the energy consumption of the Stephenson’s steam engine. Today, Sankey charts have become a versatile tool for organizations and individuals to help understand the complex flow of data and resources.
Creation of Sankey Charts
Creating a Sankey chart involves the following steps:
Step 1: Collect the data
The first step in creating a Sankey chart is to gather the data that you want to visualize. The data should include the source and destination of the flow, as well as the quantity of flow at each step.
Step 2: Choose the visualization tool
There are several software options available to create Sankey charts, including Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and D3.js for custom solutions. Each tool has its own unique features, so choose the one that best suits your needs.
Step 3: Organize the data
Once you have collected your data, it is time to organize it in a format that is compatible with the software you are using. Typically, this involves creating a table or data set that includes the source, destination, name, and flow quantity.
Step 4: Create the chart
Finally, the data can be imported into the chosen software and visualized as a Sankey diagram. To create the chart, select the appropriate visualization option from the software’s menu and customize the chart settings to your liking, including the layout, color scheme, and labels.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts have a wide range of applications in various fields, including:
Businesses
Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of resources, such as products, services, or sales, within a business. This can help businesses identify areas of high and low flow, and optimize their processes to increase efficiency.
Healthcare
In healthcare, Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of patients through a hospital or health system, from admission to discharge or treatment completion. This can help healthcare providers identify bottlenecks, optimize resource allocation, and improve patient outcomes.
Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management is another area where Sankey charts can be incredibly useful. They can be used to visualize the flow of goods between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. This can help organizations better understand their supply chain, identify potential bottlenecks, and optimize their logistics.
Social Sciences
In the social sciences, Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data between various sources, such as surveys or demographic studies. This can help researchers understand how data flows through their research process and identify potential biases or gaps in their data collection.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful data visualization tool that can be used in various fields to help organizations and individuals understand the flow of resources, data, products, or services. They can provide valuable insights that can help organizations optimize their processes, improve their logistics, and make more informed decisions. With the wide range of software options available, creating a Sankey chart has never been easier, and the results can be both visually stunning and informative.
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