Flow Visualized: Mastering the Magic of Sankey Charts
In an era of data-centric decision-making, the ability to convey vast, complex datasets in a clear, intuitive form is invaluable. Enter Sankey charts, an elegant way to visualize the flow of materials, energy, costs, or any other form of linear data through a process. Sankey diagrams, named after English engineer William Playfair’s contemporary, Marie Eugene French engineer Sankey, have evolved into a critical tool for illustrating processes in industries from energy to the environment. Here we’ll explore the fundamentals, application, and creation of Sankey charts.
Understanding Sankey Charts
At their core, Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that shows the quantity of energy or material transferred between processes, components, or units. Each Sankey chart is uniquely tailored to represent the data it portrays, with no one-size-fits-all template. The diagrams are characterized by thick arrows, which depict the magnitude of the flow and narrow connections, indicating high flows relative to the total output.
Sankey charts are a type of multi-bar or flow diagram that consists of:
- Nodes: The intersections of the arrows, representing the components or processes involved.
- Arcs or Arrows: Lines that depict the flow itself, branching out from a node, representing a certain quantity of the flow.
- Channels: The gaps between the arcs, symbolizing flow that is not lost in the system (i.e., used fully or at 100%).
The Magic of Sankey Charts
1. Accurate Representation of Data Flow
Sankey charts can show where your data is ‘flowing’ to and from, giving a clear visual picture that might otherwise be lost in pie charts or bar graphs. The thickness of the arrows communicates the relative volume of flow, making it possible to quickly identify the critical points in a process where most of the material or energy is concentrated.
2. Visual Clarity and Simplicity
Despite their complexity, Sankey charts are designed to be visually pleasing and easy to understand. The simplicity in design makes it an ideal tool for non-specialist analysts and decision-makers to grasp complex processes quickly.
3. Efficiency Comparison
Because Sankey charts represent the efficiency or waste of materials and energy, they can be a powerful tool for organizations aiming to optimize the performance of their systems.
The Creation of Sankey Charts
Creating a Sankey chart requires a few steps and an assortment of tools, from data prep to the actual chart generation:
1. Data Preparation
Collect all necessary data — this can range from energy consumption figures to financial transaction volumes. Ensure you know the inputs, outputs, and flows throughout the process you want to visualize.
2. Choose the Right Software
Dedicated Sankey chart software like Sankey Diagrammer, Power BI, or specialized libraries in programming environments such as Python’s sankeyplot will generally provide the best results. There are also options in design software like Adobe Illustrator and vector graphics editors like Inkscape.
3. Enter Your Data
Import the data into the software you have chosen. This will be the foundation upon which the Sankey diagram is built.
4. Customize Your Chart
Now you get to build out the Sankey chart. Customize the colors, fonts, and add labels to represent your nodes and flows accurately. It’s an iterative process and may require back-and-forth to get the visual balance right.
5. Review and Refine
Review your chart from various angles, seek feedback, and refine as necessary. Check for any errors in labeling, representation, or data.
Applications of Sankey Charts
1. Engineering and Manufacturing
In the design of new processes or the optimization of current manufacturing workflows, Sankey charts can show the energy or resource use of each component or step efficiently and highlight where improvements can be made in energy use and waste output.
2. Environmental Impact Analysis
Sankey charts can be utilized to illustrate the environmental footprint of products or processes. This visual representation of carbon emissions or raw material consumption can help to focus sustainable development initiatives.
3. Energy Sector
The movement of energy through systems is a prime application of Sankey diagrams. Power generating plants, energy consumption, and transmission systems benefit greatly from Sankey charts to understand and optimize energy pathways.
4. Business and Financial Analysis
Financial flows can be visualized with Sankey charts – to understand how money moves through an organization, where it comes from, and where it is directed, offering insights into costs and returns.
By mastering the art of creating Sankey charts, analysts, engineers, and all sorts of data professionals gain a critical tool for conveying the hidden narratives in their data. As our world continues to evolve with more data, there’s no denying the importance and utility of the Sankey chart in modern data visualization.
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.
