Sankey charts are a powerful and versatile tool for analyzing complex relationships in any field. These maps use nodes (representing categories) and arrows (representing connections) to illustrate the flow of information or resources between various entities. They are commonly used in fields like business, social sciences, and public health to visualize the relationships between different entities.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how to create a sankey chart, as well as some of the applications of this visual tool.
Creating a Sankey Chart
Sankey charts are created by first organizing your data into categories or nodes. These categories can be named or represented numerically or as text labels. The arrows connecting these nodes represent the flow of information or resources between the categories. For example, in the diagram below, the nodes represent “Food” and “Energy”. The arrows connecting these nodes represent the flow of resources (e.g. energy) from Food to Energy.
Step 1: Organize your Data
Begin by creating categories you want to include in your sankey chart. Determine the number of nodes and arrows you need to represent the relationships between these entities. For this example, we’ll have 4 nodes and 6 arrows, which represent the category name “Food” and arrows that indicate the flow of energy from Food to Energy, “Energy”, and so on.
Step 2: Choose Your Tools
There are a few different software tools available for creating sankey charts. Some popular options include Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, and Canva. There are also many web-based tools like SankeyCharts.net and the online library of free diagrams. Choose the one that best fits your needs and experience level.
Step 3: Design your Chart
Use the tools available to create your sankey chart. You can either manually draw the arrows and nodes or import a diagram into your software. You can also customize the formatting and colors of the nodes and arrows to make your chart more visually appealing.
Step 4: Test Your Sankey Chart
Before finalizing your chart, double-check to make sure all arrows point in the correct direction and that there are no overlaps in your data.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be used in a wide range of applications, especially those requiring a visual and concise representation of complex relationships. These applications include:
- Business: Used in business finance and marketing to visualize the flow of money through different projects, departments, or customers.
- Social sciences: Used to illustrate social networks or the flow of information between groups of people or organizations.
- Public health: Used to visualize the flow of resources and services between different health care providers, clinics, or health facilities.
- Renewable Energy: Used to visualize the flow of resources between different renewable energy systems, like wind farms or solar parks.
Conclusion
Sankey charts offer a powerful and flexible way to visualize the relationships between entities. By choosing the right tools and creating a well-designed chart, you can easily make sense of complex information and gain valuable insights. Whether you’re a business analyst or a social scientist, a sankey chart can help you visualize your data more clearly and effectively.
SankeyMaster
SankeyMaster is your go-to tool for creating complex Sankey charts . Easily enter data and create Sankey charts that accurately reveal intricate data relationships.
