Sankey charts are a powerful and effective way to visualize data and relationships between different entities. These visual aids help to illustrate hierarchical relationships, flow of information or resources, and more. In this article, we will explore the basics of creating and applying sankey charts, provide guidance on their uses and benefits, and discuss some tips to help you create sankey charts that are both visually appealing and informative.
Basics of creating and applying sankey charts
Sankey charts are typically rectangular graphs that use a specific type of visual format, called a “flow diagram”. Each column represents a different kind of entity or resource, and the flow diagram creates a visual representation of the relationships between these entities. The horizontal bars in the flow diagram represent the flows of data or resources between the different entities. Other elements, such as labels and arrows, can also be used to provide additional information about the relationships between the entities.
Sankey charts can be used in various settings, such as in project management, where they can be used to visualize dependencies between different projects, or in the health field, where they can be used to illustrate the distribution of resources or treatments across different populations. For marketing and sales teams, sankey charts can also be used to visualize the flow of leads, opportunities, and conversions from one part of the business to another.
Benefits of using sankey charts
Sankey charts have several benefits, including:

• They allow you to easily see the relationships between different entities and the flow of information or resources between them.
• They can provide a clearer and more intuitive visualization of data than other types of charts or graphs.
• They are highly adaptable and can be used in a variety of settings, including project management, marketing and sales, and the health field.
• They are a great way to present complex data in an easy-to-understand format.
• They are highly customizable, allowing you to easily modify the appearance and structure of the chart to better suit your needs.

Creating and applying sankey charts
Creating and applying sankey charts can be done by following a few simple steps:

• Choose the entities or resources that you want to visualize on the chart.
• Create a flow diagram by connecting the entities horizontally using bars.
• Add labels to the bars to describe the relationship between the entities.
• Add arrows to the bars to indicate the direction of flow.
• Customize the appearance of the chart by adjusting the color, font, and other elements.

Tips for creating sankey charts
To create an effective sankey chart, you’ll need to be aware of the following tips:

• Use a simple and clear format to make the chart easy to understand.
• Choose a type of bar that doesn’t look like a bar but still allows you to see the flow of information or resources.
• Use a consistent color scheme to make the chart look visually distinct.
• Use different fonts and sizes to highlight important elements.
• Make sure the flow diagram is easy to follow and understand.
• Test your chart with different people to get feedback and make any necessary adjustments.

Conclusion
Sankey charts are powerful and effective visualization techniques that can be used to better understand and communicate complex data and relationships. By following the basics of creating and applying sankey charts, and using creative design techniques, you can create sankey charts that are both informative and visually appealing. Whether you’re working in a project management role, marketing and sales, or the health field, sankey charts can be a valuable tool to help you better visualize and communicate your data.

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