Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing flows and connections in a variety of contexts. From data analysis to scientific research and beyond, these charts can help you to understand complex systems and relationships in a visually intuitive way. In this article, we’ll explore how to create Sankey charts, as well as some examples of their various applications.

Creating a Sankey Chart

Sankey charts are named after their creator, Oliver Sankey, the Scottish engineer who used them in the late 19th century to visualize heat losses in a steam engine. Today, these charts can be created using various tools and platforms, including Excel, Tableau, and specialized visual analytics software. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a Sankey chart using Tableau:

1. Collect your data: Start by collecting the data that you want to visualize. This data should have three columns: the flow source, the flow target, and the amount of flow. For example, in a supply chain context, you might have columns for suppliers, customers, and the amount of product shipped.
2. Open Tableau: Launch Tableau and select “Create a new workbook.” You’ll be prompted to import your data. Choose the correct data file format, such as CSV or Excel, and follow the prompts to import your data.
3. Build the Sankey chart: Once your data is imported, you can start building the chart. Drag the “flow source” column to the Columns shelf and the “flow target” column to the Rows shelf. Next, drag the “amount of flow” column to the Text shelf, so you can see the numerical value for each flow.
4. Configure the chart: To turn your chart into a Sankey diagram, you’ll need to configure the chart settings. Drag the “flow source” column back to the Columns shelf, this time placing it on the bottom, and the “flow target” column on the top. Then drag the “amount of flow” column to the Size shelf.
5. Adjust the visual appearance: For a more engaging and informative chart, adjust the visual appearance by changing colors, legends, and labels. Tableau offers a variety of customization options to help you fine-tune your Sankey chart.
6. Publish and share your chart: Once you’re happy with your chart, you can publish it within Tableau Server or share it externally using a link. This will allow others to view and interact with your visualization.

Examples of Applications

Sankey charts have numerous applications across various fields. Here are a few examples to illustrate the versatility of these diagrams:

1. Data analysis: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of data between different systems or entities, such as product sales data, website traffic, or social media engagement. This can help analysts identify patterns, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement.
2. Supply chain management: In supply chain contexts, Sankey charts can show the flow of goods, materials, or services between suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and end consumers. This can help organizations optimize their operations and improve efficiency.
3. Energy and environmental studies: Sankey diagrams can be used to represent the flow of energy or energy consumption within different systems or processes. This can provide insights into energy efficiency, carbon footprints, and alternatives for reducing resource consumption.
4. Financial analysis: Financial transactions between companies, industries, or global markets can be visualized using Sankey charts. This can help analysts understand the distribution of capital, investments, or economic flows.
5. Communication networks: Communication networks, such as social media interactions, email exchanges, or web page navigation, can be represented using Sankey diagrams. This can help identify key influencers, patterns of information spread, or user navigation preferences.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a versatile and powerful visualization tool that can help you understand complex flows and connections. By collecting the right data, utilizing the appropriate software, and customizing the visual appearance, you can create engaging and informative Sankey diagrams. Whether you’re analyzing data, managing a supply chain, studying energy consumption, or exploring financial trends, the use of Sankey charts can provide deeper insights and facilitate better decision-making. So, don’t hesitate to unleash the power of Sankey charts in your next project or study.

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