In the world of data visualization, sankey charts are a popular tool that allows for the visualization of flows between multiple entities. Unlike typical bar or line charts, sankey charts use rectangular segments (also known as paths) that represent the flow of data from one entity to another. This makes them particularly effective for illustrating the flow of information in complex, multi-level systems.
The sankey chart is composed of three pieces of information: the nodes (sources) to which data flows in, the paths (segments) through which data flows, and the sinks that receive data. Each node is connected to a vertical segment by a line that connects it to the closest sink. The width of the segment corresponds to the amount of flow from the source node to the sink, and the node value is placed above each segment.
Sankey charts display several advantages over other types of charts. First, they are easy to understand because they provide a visual representation of the flow of data between different sources and sinks. Second, the segments highlight the key points of a system, making it easy to identify the sources or sinks that hold the most data. Third, the use of a color-coded scale (often blue for positive flow and red for negative flow) makes it easy to understand the direction of the flow of data.
Sankey charts are commonly used to analyze networks of flows, such as food chains, supply chains, and political coalitions.
The fields that benefit the most from sankey charts are business, engineering, environmental science, and social sciences. For example, food producers can use sankey charts to visualize the distribution of food from producers to retailers and then to consumers. This can help producers better understand their supply chain and identify areas where they can improve.
Engineers can use sankey charts to visualize flows of materials and fluids in a system, which can help identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement. Environmental scientists can use sankey charts to demonstrate the potential impacts of a proposed project or policy, such as on water resources or industrial emissions.
Social scientists can use sankey charts to visualize the spread of information or ideas across communities, helping to identify patterns and trends in human behavior.
In conclusion, sankey charts are a powerful and versatile tool for visualizing complex flows of information. Whether you’re a business executive, an engineer, a social scientist, or any other professional, you can use sankey charts to better understand your systems and identify areas for improvement. To create or interpret sankey charts, you can refer to standard guidelines and templates available from different sources, such as the International Charting Association.

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