Sankey charts are a popular type of network visualization that are particularly useful for analyzing flow data. These diagrams are commonly used in fields such as urban planning, materials science, and computer science, and they can help to illustrate the flow of information or resources through a network. In this article, we will take a closer look at the design and uses of sankey charts, and we will provide a beginners’ guide to help you get started using them in your own work.

A brief overview of sankey charts

A sankey chart is essentially a type of diagram that uses two axes to show the flow of information or resources through a network. The two most common axes are flow and source. The flow axis represents the direction of the flow, with positive flow indicating a positive direction and negative flow indicating a negative direction. The source axis shows the origin or starting point of the flow, with positive sources indicating the origin of positive flow and negative sources indicating the origin of negative flow.

To create a sankey chart, you first need to determine the nodes (the locations of the flow) and the edges (the flow directions). You can then create a sankey chart by drawing the edges between the nodes and assigning the appropriate flow values to each edge based on the flow axis. You can also add labels to each node and edge to provide more information about the flow distribution.

Uses of sankey charts

Sankey charts are useful for a wide range of applications, including:

1. Analyzing the flow of information or resources through a network

2. Understanding the flow of materials in a manufacturing process

3. Visualizing the flow of resources through a city or region

4. Evaluating the effectiveness of water treatment and distribution systems

5. Analyzing the flow of financial resources through a company or organization

6. Understanding the flow of information in a library or information repository

Creating sankey charts

Once you’ve determined the nodes and edges in your network, you can create a sankey chart by following these steps:

1. Add the nodes to the diagram by placing them on the flow axis.
2. Connect the nodes with the edges by clicking on the two nodes and dragging a line between them.
3. Add the flow values to the edges by clicking on one of the nodes and then clicking on the edge that you want to modify. You can adjust the flow value by dragging the end of the edge.
4. To label the nodes and edges, simply click on the node/edge you want to assign a label to.

Common mistakes to avoid when creating sankey charts:

1. Not specifying the flow direction correctly
2. Not including all sources and sinks in the network
3. Not including the right nodes and edges
4. Not including a legend to explain the meaning of the flow values.
5. Not taking into account any special circumstances or constraints in the network.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are an effective way to visualize the flow of information or resources through a network, and they can help to simplify complex data and explain the movement of resources or flows through a system. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create your own sankey chart and start using them to gain insights into the flow of information or resources through your network.

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