Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing the flow of data in a clear and intuitive way. These diagrams, named after the British engineer and inventor William Sankey, help us understand the relationships and quantities between multiple data points in a complex system. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Sankey charts, exploring their creation and various applications.
Introduction to Sankey Charts
A Sankey chart, also known as a flow diagram or a network diagram, is a type of flow diagram that displays the quantity or value of something moving from one point to another. Each link in a Sankey chart represents a flow, and the width or thickness of the link corresponds to the amount of data that passes through. With their nested or layered structure, these charts are ideal for illustrating the flow of resources, information, or energy in systems with many interconnected parts.
Sankey Chart Construction
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Defining the data: Start by identifying the primary data points and their corresponding flows. This could be data from a process flow, a project timeline, or an economic transaction.
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Creating a matrix: Organize the data into a matrix, where each row represents a source or origin, each column represents a destination, and the cells contain the flow amounts.
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Selecting a software: Various software tools, such as Excel, Tableau, PowerBI, and online infographic builders, offer built-in options for creating Sankey charts. Familiarize yourself with the interface and chart options available.
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Choosing a shape: Sankey links are typically represented by rectangular shapes, with slight variations to accommodate curved or stepped connections.
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Adjusting scales: Ensure the width of the links accurately reflects the flow values and that there’s a clear gradient from incoming flow to outgoing flow. You may also include labels for the amounts.
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Add labels and annotations: Include labels for sources, destinations, and major flows to provide context. Annotations can help explain the data connections.
Sankey Chart Applications
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Process flow analysis: Sankey charts are commonly used in engineering and manufacturing to map the flow of materials, energy, or raw materials through a process chain. This helps identify inefficiencies and areas for optimization.
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Resource allocation: In project management or logistics, Sankey charts can help visualize the allocation of resources, such as personnel, raw materials, or finances, from one stage to another.
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Economic transactions: They are useful in depicting trade flows between countries or across industries, showing the amount of goods and services exchanged.
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Inventory management: In supply chain management, Sankey charts can visualize inventory movement and the distribution of raw materials in production.
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Energy and transportation: In energy systems, Sankey diagrams can display the transmission and distribution of electricity or the flow of fuel. In transportation, these charts are used to show traffic flows or routes.
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Policy and impact assessments: Sankey charts can aid policy makers in understanding the distribution and effects of policies, such as the spread of a fund allocation or the impact of regulations on industries.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a versatile and effective tool for visualizing complex data flows. Their ability to display the relationships between multiple elements in a clear and graphical format makes them a valuable addition to any data analysis toolkit. As the amount of data we handle continues to grow, Sankey charts provide a compelling means to make sense of it all, helping us comprehend and communicate the intricacies of the data journey.
SankeyMaster
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