Sankey charts have been widely used in various fields, from engineering to health care and social sciences, to visualize complex network structures. These diagrams are particularly useful for displaying information that requires both linearity and transparency. In this article, we will explore what a Sankey chart is, how to create one, and some of its applications in different contexts.
Sankey charts, also known as directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), are directed flow charts that represent directed, non-looped graphs. They are also known as flow diagrams or process diagrams and are used to visualize the flow of data through a network. A Sankey chart depicts the flow of information or objects through a chain or a cascade, showing how the information flows from one source to another or the objects from one node to another.
Creating a Sankey chart involves designing a network, deciding on the scales, and selecting appropriate data. Here’s the process to create a basic Sankey chart:

1. First, decide on the scale and structure of the network. This will determine the size of the nodes, their distance from each other, and the overall layout of the graph.
2. Next, decide on the data you want to analyze. You can choose from multiple variables or categories to display in the chart. This information will be displayed in the different colors or colors.
3. Decide on the type of flow arrows you want. This will tell you the direction of the flow of information or objects in the network. Common examples of flow arrows are the up arrow for a positive flow and the down arrow for a negative flow.
4. Finally, create the diagram by adding the nodes and flow arrows to their respective positions according to the data you have decided to represent.
5. Lastly, add labeling to the diagram so that the reader can understand precisely what the chart represents.

Applications of Sankey charts range from the healthcare sector, where they are used to visualize the movement of patients through a hospital, to engineering, where they are used to convey the flow of fluids or the flow of information within a system. They are also used to assess the impact of a policy by analyzing the flow of resources between different entities.
Sankey charts are particularly useful in understanding the complex relationships in a system. By visualizing the flow of information or objects through a network, one can gain insights into the interactions between different stakeholders or entities in a system. For example, in the healthcare sector, the flow of patients through a hospital can be analyzed to identify bottlenecks, delays or improvement areas. In engineering, the flow of fluids or the flow of information within a system can be analyzed to assess the efficiency of the system.
Additionally, Sankey charts provide a visual representation of the system’s flow and help in visualizing complex relationships. This allows the reader to identify patterns, trends and outliers, as needed. It is particularly useful for complex networks where traditional visualization methods such as pie charts, bar charts, and scatter plots are not sufficient to visualize the data.
Overall, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex network structures. By choosing appropriate scales, data types, and flow arrows, you can create insightful, informative diagrams that help you understand the relationships between different entities in the system.

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