The River of Data: Exploring the Art of Flow Analysis with Sankey Charts
In the ever-growing ocean of data available in our digital age, there’s a particular tool of visualization known as the Sankey chart that holds the power to unlock the secrets hidden within the flow of information. A kind of ‘art of flow analysis’, Sankey charts are a visual depiction of the quantities or energies being transported or transformed by a system or process. They display the flow of energy, substances, or information between different components of a system by showing the magnitude of the substance or energy involved as it moves through.
What is a Sankey Chart?
Sankey diagrams, named after their inventor, German engineer and physicist, Mario de SanCHOky in the late 19th century, are flow diagrams depicting the transfer of material or energy between different components of a process. The beauty of a Sankey chart is its ability to present a complex system, such as a river where resources or data flow, in a clear and intuitive way.
Each Sankey chart consists of parallel lines which form “arrows” showing the flow of materials, resources, or information from one system component to the next. The thickness of the arrow’s or “path’s” width illustrates the amount of material or energy flowing through it. When used effectively, a Sankey chart can reveal patterns and concentrations in the system that might not be as apparent in a more traditional or tabular presentation.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
Sankey charts, like any effective visual tool, require careful design to correctly convey information. The following steps can help in creating an informative Sankey chart:
1. Define Your Purpose
Determine what you want to convey with your Sankey chart. Are you highlighting energy flows, material flows, or information exchange? Once you are clear about your goal, you can proceed with the right perspective.
2. Choose the Right Data
Select the data points that will represent flows and transformations in your system. It’s critical to have accurate and representative data for the validity of your analysis.
3. Set Up the axes
The left-hand side of a Sankey chart typically represents the inputs, while the right-hand side shows the outputs. The vertical axis splits the chart into components or elements within the system.
4. Identify Paths
These are the channels for the flow of resources or information. Establish these paths based on the processes or transformations that occur within your system.
5. Normalize the Data
The width of the paths is proportional to the quantity of flow, so you must normalize your data to ensure that no one path is disproportionately wider than another.
6. Arrange the Nodes
Nodes are the intersections or terminations of paths. Arrange your nodes logically to reflect the structure of your system.
7. Use the Appropriate Sankey Chart Software
Creating a Sankey chart manually can be cumbersome and fraught with opportunities for error. Utilizing specialized software like Gephi, Microsoft Excel, or dedicated Sankey diagram tools like Sankeymatic can make the creation process more intuitive and efficient.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts have a diverse array of applications, especially in fields where flow analysis is essential for understanding and designing processes:
Energy Systems
In energy and environmental studies, Sankey diagrams are used to show the efficiency of energy flows and identify where energy losses occur, aiding in the design of more sustainable systems.
Logistics
In logistics, they help to visualize the movement of goods, and the costs, distances, and time required to transport them.
Business Operations
Sankey charts can reveal insights into processes within a business, such as in marketing where they might illustrate the flow of customers and revenue across different channels.
Research and Development
Scientific institutions use Sankey charts to model complex processes and understand how information, materials, and energy are used and transformed.
Urban Planning
City planners use Sankey diagrams to analyze transportation systems and visualize where public resources and infrastructure are most needed.
In conclusion, Sankey charts, though often less celebrated than other forms of data visualization, play a crucial role in making sense of the complex flow of resources, energy, and information. By visualizing this flow through an aesthetic yet functional art form, analysts gain powerful insights for decision-making and optimization. With the proper creation and interpretation, the river of data flows more transparently for us to navigate and explore.
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.
