Sankey charts have become an increasingly popular way to visualize data flow in complex systems. These charts are particularly useful when interpreting and communicating information that involves multiple components or sources working together to produce a single outcome. They offer a unique way to visualize the movement of data through a network and help to illuminate which components are the most crucial in a particular scenario.
To get started creating a sankey chart, you’ll need to gather your data. This might include information about the elements of a network, their relationships, outputs, and inputs. Once you have your data organized, you can start to design your chart.
A sankey chart’s key elements include the nodes—the elements of the network—flow—how the data moves through the network, inputs—sources of data entering the network, and outputs—destinations where data exits the network. You can use the flow direction to represent the direction of the data flow.
The most common type of sankey chart is the one-way flow, which shows the direction of data flow from the source to the destination. This type of chart is great for visualizing the movement of data through a network, and it’s also useful for identifying the most important components of the network.
As you add more nodes and flow directions, you’ll start to see the different flows within the network. You can use different colors to classify flows based on their direction or amount, which can help to highlight critical components and improve the clarity of the chart.
Sankey charts also offer many potential applications, including reporting, decision making, and improving operational efficiency. For example, doctors can use sankey charts to visualize the flow of information between different clinics and hospitals, helping to improve patient outcomes. Lawyers can use the same charts to visualize the transfer of information between different law firms, helping to improve their productivity and efficiency.
Overall, sankey charts are a powerful and flexible way to visualize complex data flow. With just a few key elements and some careful design, you can create an impactful visual representation of data that can improve decision making, improve operational efficiency, and make a meaningful contribution to your organization or project.
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.