Sankey charts are a popular type of data visualization that can be used to show the flow of data between different nodes. They were originally developed in the late 18th century by Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, a mechanical engineer and engineer who used them to visualize the energy usage in factories. Today, Sankey charts are widely used in a variety of fields including business, economics, environmental science, social sciences, and more.
The key advantage of Sankey charts is their ability to show the direction and magnitude of flows between different entities. This makes them particularly useful for visualizing complex systems where there are many different inputs and outputs. By showing the connections between nodes, Sankey charts can help to reveal patterns and relationships that might not be immediately apparent from raw data.
To create a Sankey chart, you will first need to gather your data. This might involve importing data from a database, creating a survey, or conducting original research. Your data should include information on the source and destination of each flow, as well as the magnitude of the flow. You will also need to choose a suitable visualization tool, such as a spreadsheet program or data visualization software like Tableau or PowerBI.
Once you have your data and visualization tool, you can start creating your Sankey chart. The first step is to create a matrix that shows the flow between each node. Each row of the matrix should represent a source node, and each column should represent a destination node. The values in the matrix should correspond to the magnitude of the flow between each pair of nodes.
Next, you can use your visualization tool to create the Sankey chart. You will typically start by adding the nodes to the chart, followed by connecting them with arrows that show the magnitude and direction of the flow. You may also want to add labels and color-coding to help distinguish different types of flows.
Sankey charts can be used to visualize a wide range of flows, from data in a computer network to the movement of people between different regions. Here are just a few examples of how Sankey charts can be used in different fields:
- Business: Sankey charts can be used to analyze supply chains, showing the flow of products or raw materials between different companies and regions. They can also be used to show the flow of customer traffic between different marketing channels or the movement of sales leads through the sales pipeline.
- Economics: Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of money between different sectors of the economy, such as the labor market or financial markets. They can also be used to show the flow of goods and services between trading partners.
- Environmental science: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy or materials in ecosystems, such as the flow of nutrients between different parts of the food web. They can also be used to show the flow of greenhouse gases between different sources, such as power plants, vehicles, or industrial processes.
- Social sciences: Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of people between different regions, such as immigration patterns or the movement of voters between political parties. They can also be used to show the flow of ideas, such as the diffusion of innovations between different cultures or countries.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex flows between different entities. They can be used in a wide range of fields to reveal patterns and relationships in data that might not be immediately apparent from raw data. By following the steps outlined above, you can create your own Sankey chart and unleash the power of this data visualization technique.
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.
