Sankey charts, named after their creator, British engineer and statistician Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, are a type of flow diagram that effectively depict the movement and transformation of quantities or flows between interconnected nodes. The unique design of Sankey charts allows for the visualization of complex systems, emphasizing how quantities change, get distributed, or are converted into energy or matter within various processes. In this article, we explore the creation and applications of Sankey charts, revealing a fascinating visual journey through data flows.
Creation of Sankey Charts
Collecting Data
Begin by gathering the data that you wish to represent. This data should include the flow quantities between different nodes, typically found in matrices in the form of input, output, or cost flows. Ensure that the data is accurately recorded and comprehensive.
Choosing a Tool
There are numerous tools and software options available for creating Sankey diagrams, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, and dedicated data visualization tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Sankey.js. Select a tool based on your expertise level and the complexity of the data.
Designing the Chart
– Nodes: Identify the starting points and end points of your flow diagrams, which are represented as nodes. These nodes can represent different processes, systems, or entities.
– Flows: Create the connections or flows between nodes using arrows that represent the quantity of flow. The width of these arrows is crucial as it is proportional to the flow quantity, effectively illustrating the magnitude of each flow.
– Labeling: Ensure that the nodes and flows are appropriately labeled to maintain clarity. Consider using both text and icons to help differentiate types of flows or nodes.
– Styling: Customize the color, shape, and size to enhance readability and aesthetic appeal. The style can vary depending on the context, such as using contrasting colors to highlight major flows.
Review and Iterate
After creating the initial Sankey chart, review it for accuracy and clarity. Make adjustments as necessary, refining the layout, connections, and labels to make the chart more informative and visually appealing.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Energy Systems
Sankey charts are particularly useful in visualizing energy transformations within power grids, from fossil fuels to renewable sources, showing how energy is consumed, distributed, and lost through conversion processes.
Economic Models
Economists often use Sankey diagrams to depict supply chains, trade flows, and economic transactions within industries or between countries, illustrating the dynamics of production, input material sourcing, and cost distribution.
Industrial Processes
In engineering and manufacturing, Sankey charts help in analyzing and optimizing production processes. By visualizing raw materials entering and goods exiting processes, companies can identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
Environmental Flows
Environmental scientists employ Sankey diagrams to track the flow of pollutants, nutrients, or water between ecosystems, highlighting conservation efforts and the impact of human activities on the environment.
Supply Chain Management
Supply chain experts use Sankey charts to map out the complex network of goods moving from origin to destination, assisting in logistics optimization, inventory management, and identifying waste and bottlenecks.
By leveraging the power of Sankey charts, professionals across various fields can gain invaluable insights into data flows, allowing for better decision-making, process optimization, and communication of complex information. These charts serve as a bridge between data and understanding, making the invisible flows of resources in our world visually comprehensible and easily communicable.
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.
