As a data analyst or researcher, you’ve undoubtedly come across countless datasets, and the ability to visualize and interpret them has become essential. One particularly useful visualization tool is the Sankey chart, a technique that allows you to explore and model interconnections and flows of data at different levels of abstraction.
The Sankey chart is named for its historical association with the Sankey River in England, where the water flow between waterfalls and rivers was traced by hand using small pipes and notches in the ground. Today, the Sankey chart is a versatile and powerful tool for analyzing and representing interrelationships between different sources, destinations, or flows of information, often referred to as flows.
In this article, we’ll explore the basics of Sankey chart creation and application and show you how to use it to unlock insights from your data. Whether you’re a data scientist, software developer, or business analyst, using Sankey charts can help you visualize and analyze complex data patterns and relationships, making the information you uncover more actionable and influential.
Introduction to Sankey Charts
A Sankey chart is an effective way to represent interconnected data flows and relationships between different sources, destinations, or flow variables. The chart typically consists of lines and elements that represent source, destination, and flow data.
A Sankey chart is typically divided into three sections: topological maps, flow maps, and data maps. The topological map is a representation of the data flow, while the flow map and data map detail the interconnections and relationships between the topological map and the flow map. The data map shows the specific variables or elements represented in the flow maps.
Sankey charts are typically used to explore the interdependencies and flows of data between different sources, destinations, or flows. They can be used to visualize complex datasets or to explore networks, systems, processes, or flows.
Benefits of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can provide a valuable way to visualize complex data patterns and relationships between different groups, sources, or flows. Benefits they offer include:

• Easy to interpret: Sankey charts are very easy to understand and interpret. They provide a visual representation of the relationships between different data points, making it easier to spot patterns and connections.

• Flexibility: Sankey charts are highly flexible and can be adapted to suit different data types and levels of abstraction.

• Cost-effective: Sankey charts are an affordable way to visualize complex data patterns and relationships.

• Informative: Sankey charts can help you uncover insights and patterns in your data that you may not have seen with other methods.
  Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts can be used for a wide range of applications, from visualizing data flows and relationships in networks, systems, or processes to exploring flows between different sources and destinations or analyzing complex datasets. Below are some of the common applications of Sankey charts:

• Network analysis: Sankey charts can be used to analyze the relationships and flows between different nodes or actors in a network. This can help you identify key connections and patterns in your network.

• Process analysis: Sankey charts can be used to understand the flow of information, materials, or energy through different stages of a process. This can help you identify potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies in your processes.

• Healthcare analytics: Sankey charts can be used to explore the data flow between healthcare providers, patients, and treatments. This can help you identify gaps in care, identify opportunities to improve outcomes, and prioritize funding.

• Marketing analysis: Sankey charts can be used to understand the data flow between different marketing channels, such as social media, email, and web traffic, and identify potential opportunities for improvement.
  Conclusion
  Sankey charts are a powerful tool for understanding complex data patterns and relationships between different groups, sources, or flows. With their flexibility and cost-effectiveness, Sankey charts can help you unlock new insights from your data and transform you and your team’s ability to make informed decisions. Whether you’re a data scientist, software developer, or business analyst, using these chart can help you develop and visualize insights from your data, making your data more actionable, influential, and valuable.

SankeyMaster

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