Sankey charts are a type of diagram that can be used to visualize flows of a certain quantity, such as energy usage, water usage, or even the flow of information. These charts are named after the Scottish engineer and inventor, Captain Matthew Henry Phineas Pennell Sankey, who developed the chart to be used in industries, particularly in steam engine manufacturing. In this article, we will discuss how to create Sankey charts and how they can be used to visualize flows in various industries.

Creating a Sankey Chart

To create a Sankey chart, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Gather the data: It is essential that all the data you are trying to visualize is accurate and complete. You will need data that contains start and end values for each flow. For example, you might have a dataset that records the amount of energy consumed by different departments in a company.
2. Choose a tool: There are many tools available that you can use to create Sankey charts, such as Microsoft Excel, Tableau, and several open-source libraries like Plotly and D3.js. Pick a tool that is comfortable for you to use, based on your technical proficiency and skillset.
3. Prepare the data: Ensure the data is formatted correctly for the tool you are using. Most Sankey chart tools require a specific data format, containing the source, target, and value columns. The source and target columns represent the nodes of the chart, and the value column is the flow quantity from one node to another.
4. Create the chart: In your chosen tool, create a new Sankey chart. Input your data, and the tool will automatically generate the chart based on the format you provided.
5. Customize the chart: Add any necessary legends, titles, annotations, and labels to ensure clarity and readability. You may also want to adjust colors, text size, and layout to make the chart visually appealing.
6. Analyze the data: Review the chart to understand the flow of the data and identify patterns or trends. You can apply additional filters or parameters to gain deeper insights into the data.

Applying Sankey Charts to Various Industries

Sankey charts have applications across various industries. Some examples of their uses include:

1. Energy consumption: In the energy sector, Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy consumption from sources such as fossil fuels, renewable sources, or electric grids. This helps stakeholders understand the distribution of energy and make informed decisions about energy management, conservation, or sustainable practices.
2. Supply chains: In supply chain management, Sankey charts can illustrate the flow of goods, materials, or products as they move through a network of suppliers, distributors, and retailers. By highlighting bottlenecks, identifying dependencies, or improving efficiency in the supply chain, companies can optimize their operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
3. Information flow: In the realm of digital marketing and website analytics, Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of website traffic from different sources (e.g., social media, search engines, email campaigns) to individual web pages or landing pages. This information helps businesses target their marketing efforts more effectively and optimize their website layout for better user engagement.

In conclusion, Sankey charts offer a powerful way to visualize complex flows in various industries. By accurately gathering, preparing, and customizing the data, you can create insightful and visually appealing Sankey charts that provide valuable insights and drive decision-making. Whether you’re trying to optimize an energy system, enhance your supply chain, or improve your website’s user experience, a well-designed Sankey chart can help you achieve these goals.

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.