Sankey Charts: The Visualization of Flow in Complex Systems

Sankey charts are a type of flowchart that are used to visualize the flow of materials, energy, or information between different nodes or entities in a system. They are particularly useful in complex systems where multiple flows are happening at the same time, making it difficult to understand the interactions between them. With the use of Sankey charts, complex systems can be easily visualized and understood, allowing for better decision-making and optimization of resources.

How Sankey Charts Work

Sankey charts consist of a set of interconnected nodes, each representing a different entity or node in the system. The nodes are linked together by flowlines, which represent the flow of materials, energy, or information between them. The flowlines are typically directed from the source node to the sink node, with the amount of flow indicated by the thickness of the line.

Sankey charts can be used to visualize a wide range of systems, including energy systems, supply chains, transportation networks, and social networks. They are particularly useful in systems where multiple flows are happening at the same time, such as a manufacturing facility that produces several different products. Sankey charts allow the visual inspection of the relationships between the different nodes and flows, making it easier to understand how changes to one flow can affect the others.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts have a wide range of applications, including optimization of energy and resource usage, design of transportation systems, and understanding the impact of policy changes on complex systems. For example, a company might use a Sankey chart to visualize the flow of materials between different departments and identify areas where processes could be optimized to reduce waste.

Sankey charts can also be used to track the spread of disease or to monitor the spread of a particular behavior or trend. For example, a government agency might use a Sankey chart to visualize the flow of information between different agencies or departments, helping them to identify areas where information could be more effectively shared.

Creating Sankey Charts

Sankey charts can be created using a range of software tools, including Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and several specialized Sankey chart visualization tools. Many of these tools are easy to use and offer a range of customization options, allowing you to create a Sankey chart that accurately represents your system.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can be used to understand and optimize complex systems. They are particularly useful in systems where multiple flows are happening at the same time, making it difficult to understand the interactions between them. With the use of Sankey charts, complex systems can be easily visualized and understood, allowing for better decision-making and optimization of resources.

SankeyMaster

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