Sankey charts, named after Capt. Matthew Sankey, an American engineer who used them in the late 19th century to analyze the efficiency of ship engine power transfers, have evolved into powerful tools for visualizing data flow, often used in business intelligence, energy sector analyses, environmental studies, and more. These intuitive visuals enable users to instantly grasp complex systems, patterns, and information flows, making them a valuable asset for data storytelling.
Crafting a Sankey Chart
Before diving into the applications, let’s first explore the basics of creating a Sankey chart. Sankey diagrams are constructed using three main components:
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Nodes: Represent the source, destination, and intermediary entities within the data flow. They are shown as boxes or rectangles in the chart and are linked together by arrows.
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Arrows: Represent the flow between the nodes. The width (or thickness) of each arrow is proportional to the flow quantity; hence, the larger the arrow, the greater the flow volume. This visual aspect greatly enhances data storytelling, allowing audiences to quickly identify the most prominent flows.
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Coloring: Sankey diagrams can be enhanced with color coding for different data streams. This makes it easier to discern the various inputs and outputs across different categories or steps.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are incredibly versatile tools that can provide valuable insights across a wide range of applications. Here are some of the most notable ones:
1. Customer Journey Mapping
In marketing and user experience (UX), Sankey charts map the flow of users through promotional efforts, website interactions, product use, and feedback loops. This visual storytelling allows businesses to understand the effectiveness and friction points in the customer journey, optimizing the process for better customer acquisition and retention.
2. Supply Chain Analysis
Sankey diagrams are excellent for visualizing the movement of materials and energy within supply chains. They can help companies identify inefficiencies, costs, and potential for optimization, especially in sectors where energy and material flows are critical, such as in the automotive, food, and renewable energy industries.
3. Financial Flow Analysis
Sankey charts can illustrate the flow of financial resources and transactions between different entities, such as countries, organizations, or individuals. They reveal where funds originate, how they are transferred, and where they eventually end up, aiding in the analysis of investment strategies and economic flows.
4. Environmental Impact Analysis
For environmental and sustainability studies, Sankey diagrams illustrate the flow of energy, resources, and waste within systems. They help assess the environmental footprint of actions, products, or services, aiding in the development of more sustainable practices and policies.
5. Social Network Analysis
Similar to the application in financial flows, Sankey diagrams are valuable in social network analysis, showing the flow of information, ideas, or influence among individuals or groups within a network. This type of analysis is crucial in understanding community dynamics, trends, and the dissemination of knowledge or misinformation.
Conclusion
Sankey diagrams are a powerful tool for visualizing data flow and complexity, offering a clear and compelling way to tell the stories embedded within the data. Their ability to depict the varying degrees of flow and highlight key points of interest makes them an indispensable asset in data storytelling across domains. Whether analyzing customer journeys, optimizing supply chains, or understanding environmental impacts, Sankey charts unlock valuable insights that inform decision-making and drive innovation.
SankeyMaster
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