Sankey

The Efficacy of Sankey Charts in Visualizing Data Flow

Introduction

Sankey charts are an efficient visualization tool used to display the flow of data, energy, or materials through a system. These charts utilize arrows whose width corresponds to the magnitude of flow, making it easier to comprehend the larger picture or even minute details.

Key Uses of Sankey Charts

Visualizing Flow of Data

Sankey charts shine when it comes to showing the movement of data through a system. They are perfect for tracking many-to-many mappings between domains or multiple paths in stages over time, like depicting the relationship between universities and majors or mapping web traffic through different website pages.

Showcasing Flow of Energy

Sankey charts are instrumental in visualizing the flow of energy within a system. By displaying how primary energy transforms into useful energy, these charts aid in analyzing energy efficiency and identifying points of energy loss or wastage.

Tracking Flow of Material

Sankey charts excel at visualizing the flow of materials in a system. By showing how raw materials transform into finished goods, they help pinpoint areas of material loss or inefficiency, facilitating improvements in the manufacturing process.

Displaying Customer Journey

Sankey charts can effectively visualize a customer's journey through a system. They shed light on points where customers lose interest or drop off, enabling companies to tweak their strategies and improve the customer journey.

Illustrating Resource Use

Sankey charts are adept at showing the flow of resources in a system. By highlighting how resources transform into finished products or services, they aid in pinpointing areas of resource wastage and inefficiency, leading to better resource management.