Sankey charts are a type of line diagram that are used to visualize flow and transmit complex data in a visual and easy-to-understand way. They are similar to how flow charts are used in industry, but they are more detailed, and can show multiple sources and destinations of data flow.
Sankey charts are based on the idea of flow, where they represent a directed network of flow in a simplified form. The main advantage of using a Sankey chart is that it is easy to understand for both humans and machines, making it more effective for analyzing complex data and visualizing flow.
In this article, we will explore the power and applications of Sankey charts in data visualization. By the end of this article, you will understand how Sankey charts work and how you can use them for analyzing complex data and interpreting flow.
The Basics of a Sankey Chart
A Sankey chart is a type of network diagram that is used to visualize flow in a network of entities and their relationships. It consists of two main elements: nodes, which represent source and destination entities, and links, which represent the flow of data between them.
Here is the basic structure of a Sankey chart:
- Nodes: These are the sources of the data flow, and the destinations of the flow.
- Links: These are the elements that represent the flow of data between the nodes. They may be solid lines, dotted lines, or dashed lines.
- Flow arrows: These represent the direction of the flow and the flow intensity.
- Flow scale: This is used to represent the intensity of the flow, and it is used with the arrows on the flow.
- Flow annotations: These are used to represent the magnitude of the flow and the direction of the flow.
Creating a Sankey Chart
To create a Sankey chart, you will need to follow these steps:
- Identify the entities that form the network: Identify the network of entities that you want to visualize.
- Label the nodes: Give each node a name and label it. The name should represent the entity that the node represents.
- Connect the nodes and links: Connect each node to the other nodes by drawing links that represent the data flow between them.
- Choose flow arrows: Choose the type of flow arrows that you want to represent the direction of the flow and the flow intensity. The flow arrows should be clear and unambiguous.
- Create a flow scale: Create a scale that represents the flow intensity, and use it to display the flow arrows.
Applications of Sankey Charts
There are many applications for Sankey charts, such as:
- Information security: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data between systems or between databases, identifying sensitive data that needs to be protected.
- Engineering: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data between different components in an engineering system.
- Manufacturing: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data between different stages in the manufacturing process.
- Public health: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data between different locations and entities in a public health system, such as hospitals and clinics.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful and versatile tool for visualizing flow and complex data. They are easy to understand and interpret, making them ideal for analyzing and interpreting data. By using Sankey charts, businesses, organizations, and institutions can gain a better understanding of the flow of information, better decision making, and improved efficiency of operations.
Sankey charts can be used in various fields to better interpret data flow, such as information security, engineering, manufacturing, and public health. With the increasing need for data interpretation and analysis, Sankey charts are becoming an essential tool for businesses and organizations around the world.
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