Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that can be used to visualize the movement and transfer of data between nodes or categories. They are named after the Scottish engineer, Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, who developed the flow diagram in the late 19th century. Today, Sankey charts are used in a variety of fields, from finance to energy to healthcare, to name a few. In this article, we’ll explore how to create and use Sankey charts, as well as some of their key applications.
Creating a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart can be done using a variety of tools, including Excel, Tableau, and specialized software such as Gephi. The first step is to identify the nodes or categories that you want to include in your chart. These could be financial transactions, energy sources, patient flows, or any other type of data that you want to visualize.
Once you’ve identified the nodes, you’ll need to collect data about the flow or transfer of data between them. This data should include the value or amount of the flow, as well as the source and destination nodes. You can input this data into a spreadsheet or CSV file, which can then be used to create your Sankey chart.
There are several factors to consider when creating a Sankey chart, including the layout, color, and orientation of the chart. The layout should be designed to clearly communicate the flow of data between nodes, while the color and orientation can be used to emphasize certain patterns or trends.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are commonly used in a variety of fields, including finance, energy, healthcare, and transportation. Here are a few examples:
Finance: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of funds between different accounts or portfolios. For example, a Sankey chart could be used to show how money flows between savings, investments, and spending accounts, or how it flows between different investment vehicles such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
Energy: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy between different sources and destinations, such as electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. They can also be used to show the flow of energy between different buildings or sectors, such as residential, commercial, and industrial.
Healthcare: Sankey charts can be used to visualize patient flows between different healthcare providers or treatment facilities, such as hospitals, clinics, and rehabilitation centers. They can also be used to show the flow of patients between different stages of treatment, such as diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Transportation: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods or passengers between different transportation modes, such as road, rail, air, and sea. They can also be used to show the flow of goods or passengers between different destinations, such as cities, regions, and countries.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of data between nodes or categories. They can be used in a variety of fields, from finance to energy to healthcare, to name a few. Creating a Sankey chart involves identifying the nodes and collecting data about the flow of data between them, as well as considering the layout, color, and orientation of the chart. Sankey charts can help to identify patterns, trends, and relationships in the data, making them a valuable tool for decision-making and analysis.

SankeyMaster

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