Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing hierarchical relationships between various objects or entities. They are particularly useful for displaying the flow or flow direction of resources or information, and have been used in a variety of domains such as finance, social sciences, engineering, and management. In this article, we will explore the power of Sankey charts, the creation process and applications of Sankey chart software such as visio, and how to interpret Sankey charts results to make your visualizations more effective.
What Are Sankey Charts?
A Sankey chart, also known as a Sankey diagram or flow diagram, is a chart that displays the flow of resources or information between different entities or levels. It is created by arranging nodes on a diagram, where each node represents a resource or entity, and edges connecting the nodes represent the flow of that resource or entity. The flow is shown by the thickness of the edges, with thicker edges indicating higher flow rates or larger amounts of resources.
What Can You Use Sankey Charts For?
Sankey charts can be used in a variety of domains to display hierarchical relationships and information flows. They are particularly useful in the following areas:
1. Finance and Management: Use Sankey charts to display the flow of investment and financing between different departments, projects, or financial institutions.
2. Social Sciences: Use Sankey charts to display social network relationships, such as connections between individuals, groups, or organizations in a social network.
3. Engineering and Management: Use Sankey charts to display flow of materials or resources between construction projects or manufacturing processes.
4. Health and Health Care: Use Sankey charts to display the flow of patients and resources, such as medications or healthcare facilities, between different hospitals or clinics.
How To Create a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart in a software may vary, depending on the tool you are using. However, most charting software allow for direct creation using the software’s tools, or through importing data to create the chart using a spreadsheet. To create a Sankey chart, follow these steps:
1. Open the charting software and create a new chart.
2. Enter data to the chart (e.g. resource nodes or flow data).
3. Select the data on the chart and click on “Edit” tab of the chart.
4. Click on the “Sankey” option and enter the labels (resource names or other data).
5. Customize the chart by applying different color, thickness or style options to different nodes or edges.
6. Review the chart and make any necessary adjustments before exporting it.
Interpreting Sankey Chart Results
Once you have created a Sankey chart, you can use the following steps to interpret the results and make them more useful for your purpose:
1. Understand the underlying concepts of the flow: Before interpreting the chart, it is crucial to understand the underlying concepts of the flow. Determine what resources or information are being flow between different levels, and how they are being used.
2. Use the chart to evaluate the flow: Use the chart to evaluate the flow and identify any patterns, trends or inconsistencies. This will help to understand the overall flow and identify areas for improvement or optimization.
3. Use the chart to make predictions or decisions: Sankey charts can be used to predict future flow or determine resource allocation or decision making.
4. Use the chart to identify gaps or obstacles: Use the chart to identify any gaps or obstacles in the flow and determine potential solutions.
In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing hierarchical relationships between resources or entities. They can be used in a variety of domains and provide valuable insights into the flow of information or resources. By understanding the basics of Sankey charts, you can create more effective visualizations and use them to make better decisions and understand complex relationships.
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.
