Title: According to The Digitalist, a blog published by The Economist, Sankey charts, a type of flow diagram that are visual representations of data flows from various sources to destinations, can be a powerful tool for organizations looking to understand complex information. These charts involve the creation of a graphic depiction of an interconnected process, in which each node represents a source or starting point, and each arc represents a flow of data to a particular destination or outcome.
While Sankey charts may seem intimidating at first, they can be easily created and understood. Therefore, the aim of this article is to provide a beginner’s guide to creating and understanding Sankey charts. The article will cover how to create a simple Sankey chart, what key elements to consider when creating a Sankey chart, and how to best use it.
The first step in creating a Sankey chart is to identify the data sources and the destinations. This information may come from a variety of sources, such as a business plan, project report, or other research document. Once the information is collected, the next step is to determine the appropriate layout of the chart using a flow map software such as Adobe Illustrator or Microsoft Flow.
The design of the Sankey chart should be visually appealing and easy to understand. The flow map should be simple and the flow arrows should be directed from top to bottom, with the length representing the magnitude of the flow. This layout helps to highlight the main flow of data flow, and the different sources and destinations can be visually identified.
To gain a better understanding of the data flow, it is important to use a key to indicate the different flow directions and the type of flow. This can be done using a white or black outline to differentiate between the flow direction and the color. Another key element to consider is the color of the arrows, which can be used to highlight the different types of flow. For instance, the solid arrow can indicate a one-way flow, while the dotted arrow can represent the reverse direction.
Once the data flow is identified and the layout is decided upon, the next step is to add information to the chart. This can be done by adding labels to the flow arrows, which can be used to identify and visually identify the different sources and destinations. Also, color coding can be used to represent different types of data flow, such as green for positive flow, red for negative flow, and gray or lighter colors for neutral or intermediate flows.
In summary, creating a sankey chart may seem complex, but it can be easily created and understood if you follow these steps: identify the sources and destinations of the data flow, determine the appropriate layout, use a flow map software to create the chart, use a key to identify the flow direction and the type of flow, and add information to help understand the flow.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for understanding complex data flows. These charts can be easily created and understood, even if it seems intimidating initially. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a beautiful and informative Sankey chart that will help you communicate and visualize the data flow effectively and efficiently.

SankeyMaster

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