Sankey charts are a type of data visualization that can help us understand the flow of data, energy, or material from one place to another. The flow is represented by arrows and the width of the arrows indicates the amount of flow. In this article, we will delve into the power of flow through Sankey charts and explore its creation and applications.
Creating a Sankey Chart
To create a Sankey chart, you need three pieces of data: source, target, and flow. The source represents the starting point of the flow, the target represents the destination, and the flow represents the quantity of data or material that is transferred from the source to the target.
There are several ways to create a Sankey chart. One way is to use a data visualization tool like Tableau or Power BI. These tools have built-in features that allow you to easily create a Sankey chart by uploading your data and selecting the appropriate fields for source, target, and flow.
Another way to create a Sankey chart is to use programming languages like Python or R. There are several libraries and packages available that can help you create a Sankey chart, such as Plotly in Python or ggplot2 in R.
Applications of Sankey Chart
Sankey charts have a wide range of applications, and they can be used to represent data flow in various domains. Here are a few examples:
-
Energy Flow: Sankey charts are commonly used to depict the flow of energy from different sources to different destinations. For instance, a Sankey chart can be used to represent the flow of electricity from power plants to households, or the flow of oil from crude to gasoline.
-
Supply Chain: Sankey charts can be used to represent the supply chain of a product, showing how raw materials are transformed into finished products and distributed to different markets.
-
Social Network: Sankey charts can be used to depict the flow of information or influence in a social network. For example, a Sankey chart can show how different social media platforms contribute to the spread of news or opinions.
-
Business Processes: Sankey charts can be used to represent the flow of data or resources within a business process. For example, a Sankey chart can show the workflow of a manufacturing process, indicating the movement of raw materials and finished products through different stages of production.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful tool for understanding and visualizing data flows. They can be used to represent energy flow, supply chains, social networks, and business processes, among other things. With the availability of data visualization tools and programming languages, creating a Sankey chart has become more accessible than ever before. So, if you want to unveil the power of flow in your data, consider using a Sankey chart and see how it can transform the way you present your data.
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.
