Flowchart Finery: The Alluring Elegance of Sankey Diagrams
Sankey diagrams are a category of flow diagrams that display the quantities of inputs and outputs in a process in a way that allows readers to visualize how flows branch and converge. They are uniquely beautiful and have a simplicity that belies their expressive power, making them a favorite among data and process analysts. This article takes a stroll through the art and science of Sankey chart creation and explores their applications across various industries.
The Allure of Sankey Diagrams
At first glance, Sankey diagrams might seem like visually intriguing abstractions, but their inherent elegance is as practical as it is alluring. Designed by English engineer William Playfair in the 19th century, Sankeys serve as a powerful visualization tool with the ability to track processes that involve multiple, interdependent components.
The essential allure of Sankey diagrams lies in their unique portrayal of flow: the width of the arrows in a Sankey diagram directly correlates to the quantity of material (or energy) being transferred. This makes it possible to immediately grasp the efficiency of a system without a need for complex calculations or dense statistics.
Crafting the Perfect Sankey Diagram
Creating a Sankey diagram is an art that marries data analysis and design thinking. Here are some essential steps to follow:
1. Define the Process
The first step is to identify the process or system you want to represent. Sankeys are especially useful for illustrating processes that involve resources or energy flow, such as the manufacturing process, supply chain, or energy transfer.
2. Establish Nodes
Identify the key components, parts, or stages of your process. These will form the nodes or points where your Sankey diagram’s paths start and end.
3. Plot the Paths
Draw flows between the nodes. The width of each arrow represents the magnitude of the flow—thick arrows indicate large quantities, while thin arrows signify small quantities. Be careful to use uniform scale for all flows to ensure accurate comparison.
4. Balance the Flow
Ensure that the total input to any node equals the total output. A Sankey diagram should never suggest that flow is lost or created unintentionally within the system.
5. Choose the Style
Choose the style of Sankey diagram that best suits your data. There are two main styles:
- Vertical: Flows are vertical, with the flow quantities moving from top to bottom.
- Horizontal: Flows are horizontal, with quantities moving from left to right.
6. Use Software for the Visuals
Utilizing software tools such as Microsoft Excel, R, Python’s Matplotlib, or specialized Sankey diagram software can help you create visually appealing and precise diagrams. Some users opt for more sophisticated tools like Gephi or Sankey Diagrammer (Sandy) which have features that make the process simpler and more accurate.
The Versatile Applications of Sankey Diagrams
Sankey diagrams are ubiquitous and have a broad range of applications across industries including:
1. Energy and Environmental Science
Sankeys are invaluable for tracking the flow of energy through various aspects of the environment, such as water cycles in aquatic systems, energy conversion within power grids, and emissions tracking of greenhouse gases.
2. Logistics and Transportation
Analyzing the flow of goods and materials in supply chains can be profoundly simplified with Sankeys. They help to identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks in the transportation process.
3. Manufacturing and Engineering
Sankeys are a key element in manufacturing to illustrate processes and materials flows within industrial plants, aiding in optimization and cost-saving initiatives.
4. Business Analysis
Business processes can be mapped using Sankeys, providing a visual overview for better decision-making and process improvement.
5. Academia and Research
They are a go-to tool for illustrating complex processes in academic research, particularly in the fields of physics, chemistry, and biological systems.
Conclusion
The alluring elegance of Sankey diagrams does not diminish as these tools evolve with newer visualizations and more sophisticated software. The key to harnessing their full potential lies in careful design and thoughtful data interpretation. By depicting the flow of resources in a visually intuitive manner, Sankeys continue to offer us a window into complex systems that reveal insights on efficiency, sustainability, and performance. With their timeless charm and practical utility, Sankey diagrams are truly the epitome of flowchart finery.
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.
