Sankey chart, first introduced by the author Edward Tufte, and now used by data visualization specialists, enables a variety of complex data representation. The Sankey chart is a type of two-dimensional chart that visualizes the dependency between the source and the destination nodes with the help of arrows. In this article, we will explore how to create and use Sankey charts to unlock their secret of visibility in visualizing complex data.
The key to unlocking the power of Sankey charts is to understand its underlying principles, namely, the concept of flow in network graphs. It is important to note that the Sankey chart is not solely used for visualization of dependencies between source and destination nodes but is also used extensively for displaying process flow between source and destination as flow in processes.
An example of the application of the Sankey chart is to visualize the production flow from raw materials to finished products. In this case, the source could be the raw materials, and the destination would be the finished product. The arrows on the Sankey chart would indicate the flow of the materials from one source to another destination. The length of the arrow indicates the flow rate of the materials. By visualizing the flow of materials, the production process can be analyzed, and bottlenecks can be identified.
Another use of Sankey charts is to visualize the flow of information in networks. A network graph represents the connections between the nodes and the flow of information can be visualized by placing arrows on the edges of the graph. The arrow length and direction indicate the flow direction and its rate.
The Sankey chart also allows for the visualization of complex data sets where the dependency between the source and the destination nodes is not direct but indirect. For example, in this example, the flow is not solely dependent on the size of input but also on the availability of the input. The flow direction on the Sankey chart indicates the flow from the source to the destination, taking into account the availability of the input.
Creating a Sankey chart involves several steps. Firstly, the data or data sets to be represented should be collected and organized. Secondly, the nodes should be labeled with the source, destination, and value. For instance, in the example of production flow, the nodes could be labeled as “raw materials”, “production line”, “finished product”. The values could be the quantity of raw materials required to produce each piece of finished product. Finally, the arrows and length of the arrows determine the flow direction and the flow rate. The length of the arrow shows the flow rate, and the direction of the arrow shows the direction of the flow.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are powerful tools for visualizing complex data due to their ability to capture the flow of data between nodes. They can be used to visualize processes, flow of materials, flows of information, and more. So, next time you need to visualize data, consider creating a Sankey chart and unlocking its secret of visibility in visualizing complex data.
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.
