Introduction

Flow storytelling with Sankey charts allows you to visually represent the connections and energy in your data. These charts were invented by Scottish cartographer John Snow in 1832 and are now commonly used in data visualization to show the relationships and flow between different data points.

In this article, we’ll cover Sankey chart creation, the types of applications this chart is used for, and how Sankey charts help in the storytelling of data.

Step 1: Creating a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart involves several steps:

1. Data Collection: Identify the data points that you want to represent in your Sankey chart. This includes both the output and input entities.
2. Calculating Flow Weights: Determine the size of the flow between each entity. As the Sankey diagram’s main function is showing flows between nodes, weights can be represented by the width of the arrows.
3. Choosing a Sankey Flow Chart Tool: You have several options, including free tools like Visme, Flourish, or more advanced libraries like D3.js for developers.
4. Designing Your Chart: After calculating the weights and selecting your tool, start designing your chart. Arrange the nodes (the data points) on your canvas, and then draw connecting lines (arrows) that represent the flow between these nodes. Adjust the width of the lines based on the weights.
   • Source: The starting point of the flow
   • Destination: The ending point of the flow
   • Values: The size of the flow, represented by the width of the lines
5. Reviewing and Adjusting: After designing your chart, ensure all the data is accurately represented. Adjust line widths, node positions, and any other design elements for clarity.

Step 2: Understanding and Using Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are incredibly versatile and can be used for various applications. Here are some common scenarios where they are employed:

1. Network Analysis: Visualize the flow of resources, data, or energy within a network. This includes supply chains, electrical circuits, water flows, and energy consumption patterns.
2. Demographic Studies: Show population movements, migration patterns, or other demographic shifts by visualizing flows between regions or age groups.
3. Social Network Mapping: Understand relationships between individuals or entities in a social network, such as collaborations, message exchanges, or information sharing patterns.
4. Business Intelligence: Provide insights into data flows within an organization, like sales, customer journey paths, or operational workflows.

Step 3: The Impact of Flow Storytelling with Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are an effective tool for data storytelling because they:

1. Provide Visual Clarity: The width of the lines makes it easy to understand the scale of the flows, allowing viewers to quickly grasp the relationships between data points.
2. Enable Trend Analysis: By showing the movement over time, Sankey charts help users identify growth patterns, bottlenecks, or shifts in data flow.
3. Enhance Communication: Sankey charts make complex data flow patterns easily digestible, making it simpler to communicate key insights and maintain audiences’ interest.
4. Foster Decision-Making: By presenting data in a visually engaging format, Sankey charts can highlight areas that require attention, making it easier for decision-makers to identify potential opportunities or issues.

Conclusion

Sankey charts offer a unique way to represent the relationships and energy in your data, making it visually captivating and easily understandable. By following the guidelines laid out in this article, you’ll be able to create impactful Sankey charts and bring your data to life. Whether you’re exploring networks, demographics, or business operations, Sankey charts provide clear insights and help tell compelling, data-driven stories.

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.