As a data analyst, you know how important it is to communicate your data in a clear and meaningful way, whether you are presenting findings to stakeholders, explaining your strategy in a meeting, or creating an infographic to share on social media. One powerful visual tool for communicating complex data is the Sankey chart.
What is a Sankey chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of diagram that shows the flow of resources or processes. It is made up of two main components: segments and links. The segments represent the different types of resources or processes, while the links represent the flow of resources or processes from one segment to another. To create a Sankey chart, you simply draw a diagram with segments and links, and add labels or annotations to indicate the direction and magnitude of the flow.
Applications of Sankey charts
Sankey charts can be used in a wide variety of applications to analyze and visualize complex data. Here are just a few examples:
– Resource flow analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the distribution of resources in a project or organization, such as the flow of funding from donors to a non-profit organization, the flow of materials between suppliers and manufacturers, or the flow of waste from manufacturing to disposal.
– Process flow analysis: Sankey charts can also be used to analyze the flow of processes or activities in an organization, such as the flow of work from customers to salespeople, the flow of data from employees to IT support, or the flow of feedback from customers to service providers.
– Flow diagrams: Sankey charts can be used to create more complex or detailed flow diagrams, each with their own set of segments and links that represent different types of activities or processes. These diagrams can be used to identify bottlenecks in a process, predict future flows or outcomes, or identify areas for improvement.
Creating a Sankey chart
Creating a Sankey chart can be done using a number of software tools, such as Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and Google Sheets. These tools provide a variety of options for customizing your chart, such as adding annotations, changing colors and fonts, and adjusting the layout. Many tools also allow you to export your Sankey chart as an image or PDF, which can be shared with others.
Some tips for creating a Sankey chart:
– Choose the right number of segments: The number of segments in your Sankey chart should be the same as the number of different types of resources or processes that you are trying to visualize. If you have more than one segment, consider using a different color or symbol for each.
– Choose the right number of links: The number of links in your Sankey chart corresponds to the flow rate of the resources or processes represented by the segments. If you are visually analyzing a system with low flow rates, you may want to consider using fewer links to keep the chart clear and focused. If you are visually analyzing a system with high flow rates, you may want to consider using more links to provide more detail.
– Use the right color scheme: The color of each segment or link should be chosen carefully to ensure that each resource or process is easily identifiable. Use a combination of colors that are easy to distinguish from one another and that convey the correct meaning.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex data and communicating your findings to others. With the right number of segments and links, you can create a clear and meaningful diagram that helps you identify patterns and trends, predict outcomes, and think creatively about how to improve your processes.
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.
