Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that visually represents the movement of quantities between different entities or categories. They were first introduced by Scottish physicist John Z. Fritz in the 19th century, and have since become a popular tool in various fields, from data visualization to engineering and economics, to convey complex flows and relationships in an intuitive way.
Creating a Sankey chart requires data on the flow volumes between different entities or categories, and an understanding of how to structure the data for a visually compelling presentation. To illustrate the process, let’s use the following example:
Imagine a small company with three departments: sales, marketing, and operations. The company wants to visualize the flow of employees between these departments over two years.
To create a Sankey chart for this example, you would need the following data:
1. Source and Target of each flow: This data represents the entities between which the flow is taking place (e.g., “sales” to “marketing”).
2. Flow Volume: The number of employees moving from one department to another (e.g., 10 employees move from sales to marketing).
Once you have this data, you can follow these steps to create a Sankey chart:
Step 1: Choose Your Charting Tool
Select a tool or software that supports Sankey chart creation. Popular options include online tools like “Plotly,” “Vizlib,” or data visualization platforms such as Tableau, Qlik Sense, or Power BI. These tools typically provide built-in templates or easy-to-use interfaces for creating Sankey diagrams.
Step 2: Import Your Data
Use the import function in your chosen tool to load your data. Ensure you select the correct data fields, specifying the Source, Target, and Flow Volume columns.
Step 3: Customize the Layout
Adjust the layout settings to refine how the chart is displayed, such as the angle between nodes, the width of the flows according to their volume, and how nodes are connected and organized.
Step 4: Add Colors and Labels
Assign colors to differentiate between nodes (departments) and flows. Include labels to describe the nodes and nodes’ connections. You might also add icons or arrows to make the chart more informative and engaging.
Step 5: Enhance Visual Appeal
Apply features like gridlines, background shades, and animation effects to make the chart visually appealing and impactful.
Step 6: Test and Refine
Check the chart for any potential errors in data or layout. Make adjustments as needed, and ensure the chart is clear and understandable.
Step 7: Share Your Chart
Export the Sankey chart as an image or embed it directly into a report or presentation to share with stakeholders or team members.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be used in various applications, such as:
- Supply Chain Management: To visualize the flow of goods or components between different suppliers and manufacturers, and to analyze bottlenecks or inefficiencies.
- Data Flow Analysis: In IT systems, to map data movement between different processes, servers, or databases.
- Resource Allocation: In project management or organizational structure, to show the distribution of resources, people, or time across various tasks.
- Economic Flows: To analyze the exchange of goods, resources, or capital between countries or industries.
- Environmental Studies: To depict the flow of energy, materials, or waste between ecosystems or manufacturing processes.
Conclusion
Sankey diagrams have proven to be a powerful tool for visualizing flows and relationships in any field. By following the steps outlined in this article and leveraging the capabilities of modern visualization tools, you can create engaging, informative Sankey charts to help understand and communicate complex data in a visually intuitive manner.
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.
