Sankey Charts: Visualizing Flow Dynamics with Stunning Elegance and Clarity

If you’re someone who deals extensively with flowing data, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the challenge of effectively illustrating how resources move through your system. The good news is, there is a solution for this complex predicament: Sankey diagrams. In this article, we’ll delve into the nitty-gritty of Sankey chart creation and applications, so that you can harness the power of visualization and bring your data to life.

What Are Sankey Diagrams?

Sankey diagrams are a type of flow diagram, which are used to illustrate the movement of quantities, typically mass, energy, or cost, from one entity (source) to another (sink). This technique was introduced in 18th-century Scotland and named after Alexander James Sankey, an engineer who used it to illustrate the efficiency of steam engines. This type of chart emphasizes the flow paths and the relative importance of each flow.

Key Characteristics of Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams have several characteristics that make them ideal for data analysis:

1. Flow Representation: Sankey diagrams depict flow using bars where the width corresponds to the volume of flow. Thus, the diagram not only highlights the direction of flow but also the magnitude, enabling the viewer to understand the importance of each flow.
2. Linkage Between Data Nodes: Each node in a Sankey diagram provides context, representing entities that are both sources and sinks of the flow. The links between nodes form a clear, easily comprehensible network.
3. Time Series Analysis: Sankey charts can also be used to visualize data over time, by simply adjusting the width of the bars to reflect the magnitude of flow at various points in time.

Types of Sankey Charts

Two primary types of Sankey diagrams are commonly used:

1. Sankey Node Diagram: This type of diagram displays distinct nodes for each entity, with flows represented by lines. It is ideal for datasets in which the relationship between nodes and flows is critical.
2. Sankey Flow Network Diagram: Also known as a Flowchart, this presentation visualizes flow as connected nodes with no node representing a distinct entity. This type of diagram is particularly useful when the focus is on showing how entities move through a series of stages.

Utilizing Sankey Diagrams in Your Data

Sankey diagrams are an excellent tool for the following applications:

1. Visualizing the Flow of Resources in a Supply Chain: Sankey charts can be used to map out the flow of goods, materials, or energy through an organization’s supply chain.
2. Analyzing Energy Consumption Patterns: In this context, Sankey diagrams can illustrate the pathways of energy consumption within an organization, showing how energy moves through various processes and departments.
3. Exploring Data Streams: Sankey diagrams are particularly useful for datasets with a large number of source and sink entities, helping to identify dominant flows and patterns within the data.
4. Understanding the Movement of Social Media Engagement: By visualizing the flow of engagement, such as likes, shares, and comments, a Sankey diagram can reveal the most influential sources and destinations, providing valuable insights for social media campaigns.

Creating Sankey Diagrams with Software Tools

Fortunately, a variety of software tools make creating Sankey diagrams user-friendly and efficient. Some popular options include:

1. Microsoft Excel: With the right add-ins, Excel allows for the creation of basic Sankey diagrams, which can be customized using built-in formatting options.
2. Tableau: This powerful data visualization software offers a range of Sankey chart types and customization options, making it ideal for complex datasets and advanced visualization needs.
3. Visme: This online platform provides pre-built Sankey templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, allowing for quick and easy creation without the need for coding knowledge.
4. Plotly: Plotly’s Sankey diagrams can be created using JavaScript, and the tool offers extensive customization options for shapes, colors, and data labels, ensuring that your diagram matches your brand’s aesthetic.
5. Power BI: Power BI’s Sankey chart visualization capabilities enable users to explore the interconnectedness of data in real-time, linking to other charts, graphs, and data sources.

Tips for Effective Sankey Diagram Design

Whether you’re using software or creating simple Excel diagrams, keep the following tips in mind to ensure your Sankey chart is clear, visually appealing, and easy to understand:

1. Choose a suitable color palette: Use different colors for each data source and sink to avoid visual clutter and make the chart more comprehensible.
2. Minimize information overload: Stick to a reasonable number of data nodes and flows to prevent the chart from becoming too complex. If necessary, exclude less significant data to focus on the key patterns in the data.
3. Prioritize legibility: Ensure that all text labels, such as node names, are readable and adequately spaced. This will improve the overall readability of the diagram.
4. Be consistent with layout: Arrange the nodes and flows in a logical, easy-to-follow pattern that makes sense in the context of your dataset.
5. Include a legend: Adding a legend to your Sankey chart can help the reader quickly understand the different colors, symbols, and data categories represented in the diagram.

Case Study: Improving Energy Efficiency with Sankey Diagrams

To illustrate the application of Sankey diagrams, let’s explore a hypothetical scenario in which a manufacturing company wanted to identify areas where energy could be saved. By mapping out the flow of energy through the various stages of its production process, the company’s team could visualize the current usage patterns:

1. Begin by creating a list of the key entities within the production process, such as power sources, energy-consuming machinery, and final product manufacturing stages.
2. Group the data nodes into categories, such as renewable resources, electricity consumption, heating and cooling systems, and machinery outputs, to provide context and facilitate a comprehensive analysis.
3. Use the selected software tool to create a Sankey diagram, with the chosen color palette clearly indicating each category. Pay close attention to the width of the flows to identify dominant energy consumption patterns and areas for improvement.
4. Analyze the created diagram to pinpoint regions where energy waste or inefficiencies might be occurring, such as high energy usage in certain machinery or during specific manufacturing stages.
5. Use the insights gained from the Sankey diagram to develop targeted energy-saving strategies, such as upgrading equipment, adjusting production schedules, or implementing renewable energy alternatives.

By applying these steps, the company was able to successfully identify areas for improvement and implement sustainable solutions that led to significant energy savings.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams provide a powerful visualization tool for understanding the dynamics of flow within your data. Whether you’re analyzing a supply chain, exploring energy consumption patterns, or examining social media engagement, Sankey charts can help you uncover valuable insights and make informed decisions. By mastering the art of creating effective Sankey diagrams and incorporating them into your data analysis strategy, you’ll unlock new levels of clarity and comprehension in your data visualization endeavors.

Remember, the key to success lies in choosing the right tool for your specific needs, using a well-designed and easy-to-read layout, and continually refining your data visualization techniques to suit your unique goals. As you delve deeper into the world of Sankey diagrams, you’ll find that these captivating visualizations truly unleash the power of your data, making it easier than ever to communicate complex ideas and uncover hidden opportunities. So roll up your sleeves, dive into the fascinating world of data flows, and start harnessing the transformative power of Sankey charts today!

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.