Unraveling Complex Flows with Sankey Diagrams: Practical Applications and Effective Visualization Techniques
Sankey diagrams have been used to represent flows and convey a significant amount of information for many years, but the widespread availability of modern visualizations tools and software has brought these diagrams to light in contemporary times.
Sankey diagrams excel at illustrating relationships between multiple sets of data through the depiction of flows using different colored arrows. These arrows, or bands, have varying thicknesses based on the quantity they represent – thus, their appearance allows viewers to quickly gain insights into the data’s magnitude.
Practical Applications of Sankey Diagrams
In practical applications, Sankey diagrams are found in a myriad of fields that deal with complex data and high volumes of flows. Here are some areas where sankey diagrams can make a significant difference:
1. Energy Flows: Sankey diagrams provide visual insights into energy consumption and production processes. By illustrating energy flows through a system, the diagram emphasizes inefficiencies and directs optimization efforts appropriately.
2. Supply Chain Analysis: Businesses can use sankey diagrams to explore the intricate network of suppliers and customers within their supply chain. This visualization helps in identifying main supply and demand routes, potential bottlenecks or waste, and areas for cost-saving improvements.
3. Financial Analysis: Sankey diagrams offer a powerful way to visualize financial transactions or money flows. By displaying inflows and outflows of money across different portfolios, companies can analyze the sources and destinations of their capital effectively.
4. Social Sciences: In demography, economy or public policy, sankey diagrams illustrate the complex relationships between factors like migration patterns, economic activities or the flow of data through different social systems.
Effective Visualization Techniques
While some can appreciate the aesthetic appeal of these diagrams, the most effective use of sankey diagrams lies in their ability to simplify complex flows and relationships. Below are the critical visualization techniques to consider:
1. Band Thickness: The width or thickness of the bands should directly correlate with the volume of data they represent. This helps maintain clarity and enables viewers to distinguish between flows of varying quantities at a glance.
2. Edge Colors: Assigning distinct colors to different strands can provide quick insights into different data sets, making it easier to interpret the flow diagram in relation to the different categories.
3. Labeling: Ensuring appropriate and informative labels for each flow and terminal node is essential. These labels should be understandable, making the diagram accessible to people without deep expertise in the subject.
4. Layouts: The way elements are arranged can impact the flow of information and user understanding. Good layout design should ensure that the flow lines don’t cross unnecessarily, and the connections are clear and logically structured.
5. Tool Selection: When creating a Sankey diagram, choosing the right software or tool is crucial. While traditional graphic design software can handle the creation of basic sankey diagrams, specialized or more complex diagramming tools might be required for precise representation and interaction capabilities.
Sankey diagrams, when appropriately designed and used, are invaluable in unraveling complex flows and conveying information through visually intuitive means. Their versatile applications span many fields, making them a powerful tool in data visualization strategy.
