Sankey diagrams are a powerful tool for visualizing complex relationships and flows in data. These diagrams have a unique ability to convey information in a concise and easily understandable way, and they are particularly effective for showing the direction and volume of various flows.
In this article, we will explore the key elements of creating and using sankey diagrams, and we will demonstrate how they can be used to unlock the power of data visualization.
Introduction to Sankey Diagrams
Sankey diagrams are a type of network diagram that uses rectangular panels to represent the different entities in a system. These panels can be stacked vertically, or they can be arranged horizontally for a more intuitive and visually appealing layout.
The key elements of a sankey diagram include:
1. Entities: These are the different elements in your system, such as people, machines, or products.
2. Links: These are the relationships between entities, such as inputs and outputs.
3. Flow values: These are the volumes or quantities of the flows associated with each link.
These three key elements allow you to visualize the movement of data and information throughout a system.
Creating a Sankey Diagram
To create a sankey diagram, you will need to gather your data and identify the entities, links, and flows. The process may vary depending on your data, but here are the general steps:
- Identify the entities in your system: Determine the different elements, or entities, that you need to visualize.
- Determine the relationships between the entities: Identify the links between the entities in your system.
- Determine the flows in the system: Decide which flows should be included in your diagram and calculate the flow values.
- Design the layout: Design your sankey diagram by arranging the entities, links, and flows.
- Add labels: Apply labels to the entities, links, and flows to make your diagrams more interpretive.
Creating Sankey Diagrams with DataFlair
As an example of how data visualization can unlock the power of data, we will now create a sankey diagram using a fabricated example.
Example Data Set
Let’s assume we have the following data set for a manufacturing plant:
* Plants (entity)
* Materials (entity)
* Machines (entity)
* Production (entity)
* Inputs (flow)
* Outputs (flow)
We will use this data set to create a sankey diagram.
1. Determine the entities and flows:
* Plants: Total capacity in each plant
* Materials: Quantity of raw materials
* Machines: Machine capacity
* Production: Total output
* Inputs: Total amount of raw materials consumed
* Outputs: Total amount of finished products
* Flow: Inputs to Machines, Machines to Production, Production output, Machines to Outputs
* Sankey Diagram Component Names (Entity): Plants, Materials, Machines, Production, Inputs, Outputs
* Sankey Diagram Flow Values: Plants -> Materials, Materials -> Production, Production -> Machines, Machines -> Outputs, Outputs -> Plants
2. Design the layout:
* Arrange the components vertically to give a sense of the hierarchy of the plant systems.
* Use short lines to connect the entities and flows.
* Label each component with its name and flow values.
3. Add labels
* Label each component to show its role in the plant system.
* Use different colors for nodes and arrows to make the diagram more visually appealing.
Final Result:
Here is the sankey diagram for the fabricated data set:
The sankey diagram shows the flow of materials, machines, and production within the plant system. The arrows indicate the direction of flow and the colors denote different relationships between entities. This diagram can be used to visualize the interactions between the entities and to understand the flow of data and information throughout the system.
Practical Applications of Sankey Diagrams
Sankey diagrams can be used in a wide range of applications, including:
- Manufacturing Industry: To analyze the flow of materials, machines, and production in a manufacturing system.
- Healthcare: To visualize the flow of medical personnel, patients, treatments and medication in a healthcare system.
- Energy: To monitor the flow of energy in an energy system, such as a power plant or a renewable energy farm.
In summary, Sankey diagrams are a powerful tool for visualizing complex systems, and they are particularly effective for showing the direction and volume of flows in data. By using sankey diagrams, we can unlock the power of data visualization and gain a deeper understanding of the relationships and systems within our data.
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.
