Painting the picture: an interactive exploration of sankey charts for a better understanding of complex data flow
Data flow charts or sankey charts are a type of chart used in data visualization to represent the movement of data or information between two or more sources and destinations. These charts are commonly used to illustrate the flow of data over time, showing the amount of data passing through different steps or processes.
Creating a sankey chart can be a complex process, requiring a careful consideration of the design and layout of the chart. One of the challenges is selecting the appropriate data for the chart, as not all sources and destinations are equally important. Sankey charts should be used only when the data flow is clear and transparent, and when the chart can effectively represent the flow of information or data.
Applying sankey charts can be an effective way to visualize complex data flows and help users understand the relationships between different sources and destinations. Sankey charts can be used to track the flow of information or data, such as the flow of revenue between different departments in an organization, the flow of traffic between different roads in an urban area, or the flow of food from different areas in a farm.
In this article, we will explore the process of creating and interpreting a sankey chart, including how to select data, plan the layout, and interpret the chart’s output. We will also discuss some of the challenges associated with creating sankey charts and provide examples of how sankey charts have been used in real-world applications.
Selecting the appropriate data for a sankey chart
Selecting the right data is essential to creating a well-designed and informative sankey chart. The data used in a sankey chart should be relevant and representative of the subject area being explored. For example, a sankey chart representing the flow of information from employees to their departments in a company may be useful if the company is using a project management tool, such as Microsoft Project.
In selecting data for a sankey chart, it can be helpful to know the flow of information or data between sources and destinations. For example, if the flow of money between areas in a company or city is the primary focus, it may be easier to select data that measures the amount of money passing through a particular source or destination.
Planning the layout of a sankey chart
Sankey charts are typically used to show the flow of data between sources and destinations, so it is important to consider how the information will be presented in the chart. The layout of the chart should be clear and easy to read, with the main direction of the flow indicated by the size of the arrows.
One important aspect of planning the layout of a sankey chart is choosing a labeling scheme that is both clear and informative. For example, the direction of the flow indicated by the arrow can be represented by a positive (+) or negative (-) sign, with the source and destination labeled as positive (+) and negative (-) indicators.
Another important aspect of planning the layout of a sankey chart is choosing the layout of the nodes or sources and destinations. The nodes should be clearly defined and labeled, with the source nodes located at the bottom of the chart and the destination nodes located at the top. The size of the nodes should be representative of the data being represented, with larger nodes representing higher values of the data being represented.
Interpreting the output of a sankey chart
The output of a sankey chart is a visual representation of the flow of information or data between sources and destinations. The size of the nodes in the chart can be used to represent the amount of data being passed through a particular source or destination, with larger nodes representing higher values of the data.
The orientation of the arrows in the chart tells us which direction the flow of data is going. For example, a sankey chart may show the flow of information from a supplier to an office supply store, with the arrow pointing from the supplier to the store, indicating that the information is flowing from the supplier to the store.
Sankey charts can also be used to compare the flow of data between different sources and destinations. For example, a sankey chart showing the flow of information from a department to the head office versus the flow of information from the head office to a different department may help users understand the level of control and influence that each department has over the other.
Some of the challenges associated with creating sankey charts include:
1. Difficulty in selecting an appropriate data set
2. Difficulty in representing large amounts of data
3. Difficulty in representing complex relationships between nodes and destinations
4. Difficulty in determining the appropriate layout of the chart
In conclusion, sankey charts provide a useful tool for visualizing complex data flows and relationships between different sources and destinations. By carefully selecting the data to be represented, designing an effective layout for the chart, and interpreting the output, users can gain a deeper understanding of the data and its relationships. In many cases, sankey charts can be an effective tool for decision-making and problem-solving in a wide range of fields, from finance to transportation to marketing.

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