Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that are often used to visualize and analyze the flow of materials, energy, or information. They are named after the Dutch engineer and cartoonist Charles Sankey, who first developed the chart in the 19th century.
Sankey charts are useful for identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement in complex systems, such as supply chains or information networks. They can also be used to illustrate the causal relationships between different variables, or to show the flow of materials or energy through a system.
There are several steps involved in creating a Sankey chart:
- Identify the input and output nodes of the system you want to visualize. These are the nodes that represent the starting and ending points of the flow.
- Determine the direction and rate of flow at each node. This information can be collected from data sources, such as spreadsheets or databases.
- Draw the nodes and connect them with arrows to indicate the flow of materials, energy, or information.
- Label the nodes and arrows with the appropriate information, such as the name of the node and the type of flow it represents.
- Customize the appearance of the chart, such as the colors and styles of the nodes and arrows.
There are several software programs that can be used to create Sankey charts, including Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, and SmartDraw. These programs provide a range of templates and pre-designed shapes that can be easily customized to fit the needs of the chart.
In addition to their use in supply chains and information networks, Sankey charts can be used in a variety of other fields, such as environmental science, finance, and healthcare. For example, they can be used to visualize the flow of pollutants through a watershed, or to track the spread of a disease across a population.
To get started with Sankey chart creation, it is important to have a clear understanding of the system you want to visualize and the information you need to include. By carefully planning and designing the chart, you can effectively communicate the flow of materials, energy, or information and gain valuable insights into the performance of your system.
Overall, Sankey charts are a powerful visual tool for understanding and improving complex systems. By streamlining the process of creating them, they can be used more effectively to support decision-making and improve the performance of organizations and industries.
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.
