Sankey charts are a popular and effective way to visualize complex flow dynamics, such as material or energy transfers between different sources or destinations. Unlike traditional bar or line charts, Sankey diagrams use an arrow-like layout where the width of the line represents the magnitude of flow, making it easy to see which flows are the largest and if any patterns or trends are present. In this article, we’ll demystify the creation and applications of Sankey charts.
Understanding Sankey Chart Basics
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey diagram is a type of flow diagram that uses arrows to represent the quantity of materials, energy, or information being transferred from one entity to another. The width of each arrow is proportional to the flow volume, making it an efficient tool for quickly grasping complex systems.
Key Components of a Sankey Chart
Source
The starting point of the flow.
Sink
The final destination of the flow.
Hubs (Nodes)
Intermediate stages in the flow where materials, energy, or information converge or diverge.
Links (Arrows)
Connect the source, hub, and sink, indicating the flow direction and magnitude.
Types of Sankey Charts
- Single Flow Sankey – Tracks only one type of flow.
- Multi-Flow Sankey – Tracks multiple types of flow, often with different colors.
- Horizontal and Vertical Sankey – Layout orientation changes, similar to a stacked bar chart.
- Radial Sankey – Flow radiates around a central node, like ripples from a stone being dropped in a pond.
Creating a Sankey Chart
Data Preparation
Collect data that includes:
– Starting points (sources)
– Ending points (sinks)
– Intermediate stages (hubs)
– Flow magnitude (amount of material, energy, or information)
Tools for Creating Sankey Charts
Software Solutions
- Microsoft Power BI
- Tableau
- R (Using packages like
Sankeyorplotrix) - Python (Using libraries like
sankeydiag)
Online Tools
- Visme
- Canva
- ScribbleLive
Steps to Create a Sankey Chart
- Select a Tool: Choose a tool based on your data, expertise, or budget.
- Input Data: Upload or manually input your data, assigning specific variables for start, end, and flow magnitude.
- Customize: Choose colors, orientations, and layout options to improve clarity and visual appeal.
- Review: Ensure the chart correctly represents your data, updating as needed.
- Export or Share: Save your chart for future reference or share it externally.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Environmental Studies
- Tracking Energy Use (power grids, household consumption)
- Waste Management (recycling flows, energy recovery)
Business Analysis
- Supply Chain Visualization (material flow, costs)
- Resource Allocation (budget, investments)
Energy Systems
- Renewable Energy Flows (solar to storage to grid)
- Power Generation Mix (coal to hydro to natural gas)
Social Sciences and Health
- Demographic Flows (migration patterns, age distribution)
- Epidemiological Tracking (infection spread among populations)
Academic Research
- Resource Allocation in Systems (information flow in academic networks)
- Dynamic Network Analysis
Technology and IT
- Network Traffic Analysis (data flow across servers, networks)
- Software Dependency Mapping (libraries, modules, frameworks)
Conclusion
Sankey charts offer a streamlined way to visualize and understand complex flows within any system, making them an indispensable tool for data presentation in various disciplines. Whether you’re mapping the intricate pathways of energy production and consumption, tracing financial transactions, or analyzing trends in health data, Sankey diagrams can help illuminate the relationships and patterns that might otherwise be hidden in voluminous data sets.
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.
