Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visually presenting complex data and information in a clear and easily understandable manner. Unlike regular bar charts or pie charts, which can quickly become overwhelming and difficult to interpret, a sankey chart breaks down large datasets into more manageable groups and visualizes the relationships between them in a more intuitive and data-driven way.

In this article, we will explore the world of sankey charts, and how to create and apply them effectively.

Understanding Sankey Charts

A sankey chart typically consists of multiple parallel lines with various labels along them. These parallel lines represent different elements or categories, while the labels represent the flows or relationships between these elements.

The key difference between a sankey chart and a regular bar chart or pie chart is the way they visualize the data. In a sankey chart, data is broken down into smaller groups, and the relationships between these groups are visualized through the lines between elements.

Creating Sankey Charts

Creating a sankey chart involves several steps:

1. Collecting Data: The first step is to gather the necessary data about the elements and their relationships. This data can be in the form of a table, list, or any other format that is compatible with the sankey chart software you are using.

2. Organizing Data: Organize the collected data so that the elements can be visualized in the sankey chart in a way that makes sense and is easy to understand.

3. Creating a Layout: Use software to create a layout for your sankey chart. This layout should organize the parallel lines so that the relationships between the elements are clearly visible.

4. Adding Labels: Add labels to the sankey chart elements to indicate the type and quantity of each element.

5. Formatting the Chart: Use formatting options in the software to make the sankey chart more visually appealing and easy to understand.

Applications of Sankey Charts

There are many applications of sankey charts in fields such as finance, public sector, business, marketing, and even social work. Here are some examples:

1. Finance: Sankey charts are commonly used in financial planning and analysis. They can visualize the flow of money and investments, making it easier to understand overall investment performance and identify areas for improvement.

2. Public Sector: Sankey charts can visualize the flows of resources within a government organization, such as the distribution of funds from one department to another. This helps in identifying bottlenecks and opportunities for streamlining operations.

3. Business: Sankey charts can help business analysts visualize the flows of resources within a company or organization, such as the supply chain and production process. This can help identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement.

4. Marketing: Sankey charts can visualize the flow of customers and sales, making it easier to understand the effectiveness of marketing strategies. This can help make data-driven decisions and identify areas for improvement.

5. Social Work: Sankey charts can visualize the flow of services and support provided by social workers within a community. This can help identify areas where additional resources or training are needed.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex data and information in a clear and easily understandable way. With a few simple steps, you can create your own sankey chart and easily apply it to your project. Whether you are a business analyst, public sector official, or social worker, a sankey chart can help you make more informed decisions and understand your data better.

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.