Sankey charts are a type of network diagram that represent complex relationships in graph theory. They are commonly used in finance, economics, and other fields to visualize flows of data between variables. They can be used to show the flow of information or resources in a system, or to show the direction of influence between different entities. In this article, we will explore how to create a simple Sankey chart, and use it to show a mathematical example of how information flows in a network.
To create a Sankey chart, start by selecting a network that you want to visualize. This could be a system of relationships or a flow of information. Once you have a network, you can create a Sankey chart by adding nodes to represent the entities that make up the network, and connecting them by lines that indicate the direction and flow of information or data. The nodes and lines can be styled with different colors, shapes, and annotations to make the chart more visually appealing and easier to read.
Sankey charts can be used to show both unidirectional and bidirectional flows of information between variables. For example, consider the following hypothetical business model for a company that sells computer software. In this model, the company sells software licenses to customers, and those customers can also help the company by promoting the software and generating revenue for the company. To visualize this model, we would create a Sankey chart with two nodes representing the company and the customers, and a line connecting the nodes to show the flow of customers promoting the software and generating revenue for the company.
To help you get started with creating Sankey charts, let’s take a look at a simple example. Consider the following graph representing the flow of information between a company and its suppliers:
Based on this graph, we can create a Sankey chart using the following steps:
1. Select the nodes representing each entity in the network, in this case, the company and its suppliers.
2. Connect the nodes using lines that show the direction and flow of information. For this example, we can connect the company node to the suppliers node using a dotted line to indicate that the companies are not directly connected, and a solid line to indicate that information flows in one direction from suppliers to the company.
3. Customize the chart by adding colors and annotations to make it more visually appealing and easier to read. For example, we could label the company and supplier nodes with their names, and use different colors or shapes for the lines to show the direction of flow.
Once we have created our Sankey chart, we can use it to show the flow of information in the hypothetical computer software business model. We can see that company licenses are sold to customers, and those customers can help generate revenue for the company by promoting the software. The Sankey chart allows us to visualize this flow of information in a clear and concise way, without any confusion over the direction of flow or other complexities.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a useful tool for creating visual representations of complex relationships in graphs. They are particularly well-suited for showing flows of information or data in systems, and can be used to quickly identify patterns, trends, and relationships within a network. By using Sankey charts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the relationships within a system, and use this information to inform decision-making and problem-solving.

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.