Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex data flow, and as the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted, they can help to identify links between different groups and areas of the world. In this article, we will explore the basics of creating and understanding Sankey charts, as well as discuss some of the applications of this powerful visualization tool.
A Sankey chart is a network diagram that displays flow or resource flows between different nodes or sources and destinations. These flows can come in many different forms, such as population, data, money, or information. By creating a Sankey chart, we can quickly and easily see how different flows are connected and where potential bottlenecks or imbalances may occur.
When creating a Sankey chart, the first step is to identify the nodes that represent the different sources and destinations of the flow. These nodes will be represented as circles or points on the chart, with the flow direction specified by an arrow between each pair of nodes. The size of the node, and thus the flow it represents, will often be proportional to the amount of information or data being conveyed by that node.
Once the nodes have been identified, the next step is to connect them with arrows to specify the direction of the flow. The length of the arrows will tell us how much information or data is flowing in the direction represented by the arrow. For example, if the arrow between node A and node B is shorter than the arrow between node B and node C, this could indicate that there is less information or data flowing towards node C than towards node B.
Once the nodes and arrows have been added, we can fill in the details of the flow by assigning labels to each node and arrow, and by specifying the type of data or information represented by that flow. This could be done manually, or by automating the process using specialized software.
Sankey charts can be used in a variety of applications, from public health and emergency management to business and government. In public health, Sankey charts can be used to visualize the spread of disease or other infectious diseases, and to identify areas or groups where there may be significant risk. In emergency management, Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of resources such as water, electricity, and personnel during a disaster, and to identify potential bottlenecks or areas of weakness.
In business and government, Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of resources such as materials and labor, and to identify areas where there may be unmet needs. For example, a Sankey chart comparing the flow of resources between a factory and a supplier could reveal that the factory is consuming more resources than it is producing, which could indicate that there is a need for greater efficiency or productivity at the factory.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex data flow. By using them to create network diagrams that visually represent the connections between different nodes and arrows, we can easily identify potential bottlenecks or imbalances and quickly identify where there may be opportunities for improvement or productivity. Whether used in public health, emergency management, business, or government, Sankey charts can help us to better understand complex systems and to identify areas where our efforts can be most effective.
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.
