Sankey charts have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to visualize complex flow data. These charts are named after Captain Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, who invented them in the late 19th century as a way to better understand the efficiency of steam engines.
Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram in which flows are represented by arrows or lines, with the width of each line indicating the magnitude of the flow. They are particularly useful for visualizing data that relates to the movement of items or energy through a system, such as electricity grids, water supply networks, and supply chains. By using a Sankey chart, it becomes easy to identify the sources, destinations, and flows of items or energy within a system.
Creating a Sankey chart involves several steps:
1. Identifying the data sources: The first step is to identify the data sources that you want to include in your chart. These will typically be the different nodes or end points of your system, such as different data sources, processes, or systems.
2. Defining the flow relationships: Next, you need to define the flow relationships between these data sources. This involves identifying the amount of flow between each node, as well as the direction and type of flow (e.g. input or output).
3. Choosing a visualization tool: There are several visualization tools available for creating Sankey charts, including MATLAB, Tableau, and R. Each tool has its own set of features and capabilities, so you should choose one that best suits your needs.
4. Creating the chart: With your data sources and flow relationships identified, you can now use your chosen visualization tool to create the Sankey chart. This usually involves importing your data, selecting the appropriate chart type, and configuring the settings to suit your needs.
5. Customizing the chart: Finally, you can customize the chart to make it more visually appealing and easier to understand. This might involve adding labels, formatting the colors and fonts, and adjusting the layout of the chart.
When it comes to applications, Sankey charts can be used to visualize a wide range of data. For example, a city planner might use a Sankey chart to visualize the flow of traffic in the city, showing where vehicles are coming from and going to, and the different modes of transportation used. A supply chain manager might use a Sankey chart to visualize the flow of goods through the supply chain, showing the different suppliers, distributors, and retailers involved. And a data analyst might use a Sankey chart to visualize the flow of data through a complex system, such as a social network or a computer network.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex flow data. They can be used in a wide range of applications, from city planning to supply chain management, and can help to identify patterns, trends, and opportunities for improvement within a system. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily create your own Sankey chart and unleash the full power of this visualization tool.

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.