Sankey charts are a unique type of data visualization that can help you to visualize and understand complex data flows. These charts are named after their creator, Matthew Henry ph Sankey, who first used this style of diagram to show the flow of electricity in a power plant in 1932.
Sankey charts are particularly useful when you want to show the relationship between two data sets, such as the flow of energy, goods, or people from one location to another. They can also be used to show changes over time, and the flow of data between multiple sources and destinations.
Creating a Sankey chart is relatively simple. First, you will need to prepare your data in the form of a CSV or Excel file. Your file should contain the following elements:
- The source location for each flow
- The destination location for each flow
- The amount of data that is being transferred between the two locations
Once you have your data prepared, you can use a variety of tools to create your Sankey chart. Some popular options include Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and Google Charts. These tools will allow you to easily input your data and customize the appearance of your chart to suit your needs.
Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing complex data flows in a range of industries. For example, in the energy sector, Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of electricity, natural gas, or other energy sources from one location to another. This can help to highlight key connections, such as the flow of energy from power plants to cities or regions.
In the manufacturing industry, Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of goods from suppliers to manufacturers, and then to retailers or customers. This can help to identify areas of inefficiency, such as overproduction or underutilization of resources.
For the public sector, Sankey charts can be used to show the flow of people through different stages of a process, such as the flow of job seekers through job training programs, or the flow of patients through a healthcare system.
Another application of Sankey charts is in network analysis. These charts can show the flow of data between different nodes in a network, such as a computer network or social network. By visualizing these flows, it is possible to identify bottlenecks or areas of high traffic, and to optimize the network for maximum performance.
Finally, Sankey charts can also be used to show the flow of funds in financial systems. This can help to identify sources of revenue, costs, and expenses. For example, a Sankey chart could show the flow of funds from stock investments, to dividends, to taxes, and then back to investors.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing complex data flows. Whether you’re looking to understand energy flows in the energy sector, supply chains in the manufacturing industry, or people flows in public sector programs, Sankey charts can help you to see the big picture and make more informed decisions. By creating a Sankey chart, you can easily find connections, identify patterns, and highlight areas of inefficiency or opportunity.
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.