Sankey charts are a type of chart that uses circular diagrams to visualize network connections. These charts are particularly useful for visualizing complex networks with more than two layers, such as social media networks, stock market information, or complex supply chain flows. In this article, we will explore the concept of flow visualization with Sankey charts and their applications in practical scenarios. We will focus on the Sankey chart creation process and its applications in various sectors.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart is a type of circular diagram that uses channels to visually represent flow and connections between different entities or components. Each channel in a Sankey chart represents a flow, and the size and shape of the channel is used to represent the flow rate.

For example, imagine a social media network where two friends are connected by two types of channels: direct communication and indirect communication. In a Sankey chart, the direct communication channel would be represented by a larger and thinner line, and the indirect communication channel would be represented by a smaller and thicker line.

When creating Sankey charts, it’s essential to define the types of channels and their flow rates. The flow rates can be represented by a series of arrows that point from the start point to the end point of the channel. These arrows should have labels that indicate the type and flow rate of each channel, such as “direct communication” or “100 messages per day.”

Applications

Sankey charts can be used to visualize and analyze a wide range of networks and connections, including:

1. Social Media Networks: Sankey charts can be used to visualize relationships between user profiles on different social media platforms. The chart can show the flow of interactions, such as messages, comments, and shares, between different user profiles.

2. Supply Chain Flows: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of products and resources in a supply chain, such as in the manufacturing and distribution of electronic components.

3. Stock Market Information: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of capital and value within a stock market, such as shares, bonds, and dividends.

4. Healthcare Networks: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of patient information between healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses, and treatment facilities.

Creating a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart involves the following steps:

1. Identify the entities and their relationships: Determine the entities or components that need to be visualized in the chart, and identify the relationships between them.

2. Select the chart type: Choose a suitable chart type to represent the flow and connections between the entities. A circular diagram is often used for Sankey charts.

3. Define the flow rates: Assign a flow rate to each type of channel. These rates can be given by the user or determined by statistical analysis.

4. Create the chart: Use software tools, such as Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or custom software, to create the Sankey chart. The chart should have an intuitive interface and allow for easy customization of the flow rates, channel labels, and other formatting options.

Conclusion

Sankey charts offer a powerful tool for visualizing flow and connections between different entities in complex networks. By using Sankey charts, we can gain insights into how the flow of information and resources is distributed within a network, as well as identify potential bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement. With the increasing use of technology in modern business, industries such as healthcare, finance, and transportation are utilizing Sankey charts to improve decision-making and communication processes.

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