Data flows are an essential part of modern business that helps to visualize the relationships between different departments, projects, and processes. Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing data flows, making it easy to see which departments or projects are consuming more resources than others and where bottlenecks or improvements might lie.
In this article, we will explore the basics of Sankey charts, explain their applications and benefits, provide some sample Sankey chart examples in various industries, and discuss how to create Sankey charts with popular software tools like Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and Google Data Studio.
Understanding Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that uses vertical and horizontal lines to show the flow of data. The vertical lines represent the different sources and sinks of data flow, while the horizontal lines show how the data flows between sources and sinks. In a typical Sankey chart, there is usually a diagram with several nodes representing different types of data sources and a single sink node representing an ultimate destination for the flow of data.
The main advantage of Sankey charts is that they help to visualize the relationships between different data flows in a more organized and intuitive way. They are particularly useful for visualizing the relationships between departments, projects, and products.
Sankey chart applications and benefits
Sankey charts are commonly used in various industries including finance, healthcare, and engineering for visualizing data flows and relationships. In finance, they can help traders visualize the flow of financial data between different financial instruments or departments within an organization. In healthcare, they can help departments visualize the flow of patient data between different departments or procedures. In engineering, they can help project managers visualize the flow of resources and data between different projects and departments.
Creating Sankey charts
Creating Sankey charts involves several steps. The first step is to create a diagram representing your dataset and relationships (e.g. a flowchart). Then, use a tool or software to create a Sankey chart. There are various tools available, such as Microsoft Power BI, Tableau, and Google Data Studio, which allow users to create and customize Sankey charts easily.
Sankey chart samples
Here are a few sample Sankey charts for different industries:
– Healthcare: A sample Sankey chart showing the flow of patient data from different departments, including medical care, rehabilitation, and patient care.
– Finance: A sample Sankey chart presenting a portfolio of financial instruments and showing how they flow between different financial organizations and departments.
– Engineering: A sample Sankey chart showing the flow of resources and data between different projects and departments in a construction project.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a versatile and intuitive tool for visualizing data flows and relationships. They can help traders, healthcare professionals, finance managers, and engineers better understand their data flows, identify bottlenecks, and improve processes. With a variety of tools and software available, it’s easier than ever to create and customize Sankey charts. If you’re looking to visualize your data flows, give Sankey charts a try and see the benefits firsthand.

SankeyMaster

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