Sankey charts are a type of diagram that has gained increasing popularity in recent years for visualizing and presenting flow data. These charts are particularly useful for understanding complex and interrelated processes, such as resource allocation, decision-making processes, and supply chains. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to create and utilize Sankey charts to unlock hidden insights from flow data.
What Are Sankey Charts?
Sankey charts are a type of network diagram that uses a bar or fill chart to represent the relationships between two or more elements, such as people, processes, or resources. The diagram uses a flow network, which consists of a series of interconnected lines or arcs that connect nodes (objects or elements) along the flow. Sankey charts are particularly useful for visualizing complex relationships and systems that involve multiple variables and factors.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
To create a Sankey chart, you typically use basic charting software like Microsoft Excel or Visio. Here is a basic process for creating a Sankey chart:
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Draw the start and end nodes of your flow network on separate sheets or separate lines in Visio.
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In each arc, draw a direction, typically either inwards or outwards.
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In the center of each arc, write the name of the process or element represented by the arc.
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Draw the flowline between the arc and the nodes it connects, indicating the direction of the flow.
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Add labels to each arc and edge in the diagram to indicate the flow values.
What are the Hidden Insights You can Unlock with Sankey Charts?
Sankey charts provide a great deal of flexibility and visual clarity with which to represent flow data. With the right approach, these charts can unlock a great deal of hidden insights from complex data sets. Here are some of the insights you can unlock with Sankey charts:
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Flow network identification: Sankey charts can help you identify flow networks in your data. By visualizing the direction of each flow, you can identify which processes are linked, and which inputs and outputs are essential for the entire flow system.
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Resource allocation: Sankey charts can reveal how resources are allocated between different processes and teams. By visualizing the direction of each flow, you can identify which resources are oversubscribed and which need more allocation or optimization.
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Decision-making process: Sankey charts can help managers and analysts identify decision-making processes and the flow of information between different processes. By identifying the influencers or key players in a flow network, you can identify areas that need improvement in the decision-making process.
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Supply chain optimization: Sankey charts can help supply chain managers identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies in the supply chain. By visualizing the flow of goods and materials between different sources, you can identify potential inefficiencies and bottlenecks that could be mitigated or optimized.
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Resource sharing: Sankey charts can help identify areas where resources are shared across different processes. By visualizing the flow of materials or information between different processes, you can identify areas where resources could be more efficiently shared or optimized.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are an incredibly flexible and versatile tool for visualizing and presenting flow data. By unlocking hidden insights from complex data sets, these charts provide a powerful way to understand and optimize processes and systems. Whether you are a business analyst, supply chain manager, or simply trying to understand your organization’s operations, Sankey charts can help you better visualize and understand your data.
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