Sankey Charts: Visualizing Flow and Transitions in Complex Systems

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can be used to understand and improve the flow of materials, information, or people within complex systems. They are particularly useful for creating visual representations of systems that involve multiple interconnected processes, such as supply chains, financial transactions, or water distribution networks.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are named after their creator, Charles Sankey, who first developed the technique in the early 20th century. They are a type of flowchart that show the direction and magnitude of flow between different nodes or processes in a system. Unlike traditional flowcharts, which often use arrows to indicate the direction of flow, Sankey charts use directed branches and loops to represent the flow patterns most effectively.

The resulting visualizations can provide a clear and intuitive understanding of the flow and transitions within a complex system. This can be especially useful for identifying bottlenecks, areas of inefficiency, or opportunities for improvement.

Creating Sankey Charts

While Sankey charts are relatively easy to create using spreadsheet software such as Excel or Google Sheets, it is important to use a specialized tool or software that is designed specifically for Sankey chart creation and manipulation. There are several popular Sankey chart software packages available that can help users create and edit Sankey charts quickly and easily.

Using Sankey Charts

Once Sankey charts have been created, they can be used to gain insights into various aspects of a complex system. For example, they can help identify sources of inefficiencies in a supply chain or highlight areas where improvements can be made to a financial transaction process.

In addition to their analytical capabilities, Sankey charts can also be used to create intuitive dashboards or infographics that can be used to communicate insights and recommendations to stakeholders.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a valuable tool for understanding and improving the flow of materials, information, or people within complex systems. By using these chart visualizations, users can gain insights into bottlenecks, areas of inefficiency, and opportunities for improvement, and communicate these insights to stakeholders in a clear and intuitive way.

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.