Unleashing the Power of Process: Mastering Sankey Charts for Data Visualization

Sankey charts are a powerful and versatile data visualization tool that offer a unique way to visualize complex data relationships. They are used to represent the flow of materials, money, or information through a system or process. Today’s article will explore the basics of Sankey chart creation and how you can use this powerful tool to gain insights into your data.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart, also known as a Sankey flowchart, is a type of flowchart that is used to visualize the direction and magnitude of flows between different nodes or entities. It was invented by Charles Sankey in the early 20th century and is a highly effective way to represent the flow of materials, money, or information through a system or process.

How to Create Sankey Charts

Creating a Sankey chart is relatively simple and can be done using any flowcharting tool that supports the use of Sankey charts. Some popular tools that support Sankey charts include Microsoft Visio, Lucidchart, and Smartsheet. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a Sankey chart:

1. Open your flowcharting tool and create a new document.
2. Insert the Sankey chart template by selecting “Sankey chart” from the template library.
3. Drag and drop the nodes and links into the chart.
4. Configure the link properties, such as the direction and capacity, to represent the flow of materials, money, or information between the nodes.
5. Customize the chart’s appearance, such as the node and link colors, to make it easier to understand.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts have many applications, including:

1. Process Flow Analysis: Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of materials, money, or information through a process. They can help identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement in the process.
2. Marketing Analytics: Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of customers through a marketing campaign or sales process. They can help identify which channels or touchpoints are most effective and which need to be improved.
3. Financial Analysis: Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of money in a business or financial transaction. They can help identify areas where cost savings can be achieved or revenue opportunities can be exploited.
4. Supply Chain Management: Sankey charts are used to visualize the flow of materials through a supply chain. They can help identify areas where there are bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or opportunities for improvement.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful and versatile data visualization tool that can be used to represent the flow of materials, money, or information through a system or process. They are simple to create and can be used in a variety of applications, including process flow analysis, marketing analytics, financial analysis, and supply chain management. By mastering Sankey charts, you can gain valuable insights into your data and make more informed decisions.

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