Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that are used to visually represent the flow of a system or process. Unlike traditional flowcharts, which can be difficult to read and understand at a glance, Sankey charts make it easy to see how different parts of a system are connected and how they relate to one another. In this article, we will discuss how to create Sankey charts using a popular flowcharting software, Microsoft Visio, and how these charts can be used to effectively visualize data in motion.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of flow chart that is used to represent the flow of a system or process. The chart is composed of a set of interconnected nodes and links, where the nodes represent different parts of the system and the links represent the flow of data or other items between these parts. The chart consists of a central “source” node and one or more “sinks” nodes, where the flow of items into these sinks represents the overall goal of the system.
One of the key features of a Sankey chart is the ability to easily see the connections between different parts of the system. This is because the chart uses a unique set of directional arrows that indicate the direction of the flow of items between nodes. The arrows point from the source node to the sinks, which represents the direction of the flow of items in the system.
How to Create a Sankey Chart in Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Visio is a popular flowcharting tool that allows users to create Sankey charts easily. Here are the steps to create a Sankey chart in Visio:
- Open Microsoft Visio and create a new document.
- Insert a Sankey chart template by selecting Insert > Sankey chart template.
- Customize the chart as desired, such as changing the colors, adding or removing nodes and links, etc.
- Choose a color for each node and link to ensure that the chart is easy to read.
- Save the document and be sure to save the template in the same location so that it can be used again in the future.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing data in motion and are widely used in a variety of industries and fields. Some of the common applications of Sankey charts include:
- Process Flow: Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of a process or system, making it easy to see how different steps or stages are connected and how data or other items flow between them.
- Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts are used to represent the flow of goods and services in a supply chain, making it easy to see how items move from suppliers to customers and how changes to the supply chain can affect the overall flow of goods.
- Financial Analysis: Sankey charts are used to represent the flow of funds or other financial data, making it easy to see how different parts of a financial system are connected and how changes to the financial system can affect the overall flow of funds.
- Marketing Analysis: Sankey charts are used to represent the flow of customers through a marketing chain, making it easy to see how different parts of a marketing system are connected and how changes to the marketing system can affect the overall flow of customers.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing data in motion and are widely used in a variety of industries and fields. By creating Sankey charts, users can gain a deeper understanding of the flow of data or other items in a system, making it easier to identify and address bottlenecks or other issues that may arise.
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