Sankey charts are a powerful visual tool for analyzing and displaying data flows, and for identifying opportunities for improvement. In this article, we will explore the creation and application of Sankey charts, and show how they can be used to gain deeper insights into your data.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is used to display the flow of materials, goods, services, or information between different entities. It is named after William Edward Sankey, an American statistician who developed the chart in the early 20th century.
Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing the relationships between different entities, and for identifying opportunities for improvement. They can be used to display the flow of materials through a supply chain, or to show the flow of information between different departments in an organization.
Creating a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart involves several steps:
- Identify the entities and their flows: The first step in creating a Sankey chart is to identify the entities and their flows. This may involve analyzing data, such as a supply chain inventory report, to identify the different steps in the flow of materials, or the different stages in the flow of information.
- Choose a Sankey chart type: There are several different types of Sankey charts, each with its own set of features. Some common types of Sankey charts include directed, undirected, and mixed flow charts. Choosing the right type of chart for your data will depend on the specific needs of your analysis.
- Draw the chart: Once the entities and their flows have been identified, and the chart type has been chosen, the chart can be drawn. This involves adding lines between the entities to represent the flow of materials or information, and adding labels to provide additional context.
- Customize the chart: There are many ways to customize a Sankey chart to suit your needs. This may include adding colors, shapes, or other visual aids to make the chart more engaging, or adding data tables or annotations to provide additional context.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are a versatile tool that can be used in a wide variety of applications:
- Supply chain management: Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing the flow of materials through a supply chain. This can help identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement.
- Process mapping: Sankey charts can be used to map out the flow of a process, from start to finish. This can help identify steps that can be simplified or improved, and can help teams understand the flow of information within the process.
- Customer service: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of information between different departments in an organization, and can help identify areas where customer service can be improved.
- Marketing: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of information between different marketing channels, and can help identify areas where marketing efforts can be optimized.
- Data analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data between different sources, and can help identify trends and patterns that might not be visible with other types of charts.
Overall, Sankey charts are a powerful visual tool for analyzing and displaying data flows, and for identifying opportunities for improvement. Whether you are looking to visualize the flow of materials through a supply chain, mapping out a process, or analyzing customer service, Sankey charts can help you gain deeper insights into 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.
