Sankey diagrams are becoming increasingly popular in a wide range of fields, from engineering to economics and beyond. These visually intuitive charts are used to illustrate the flow of data or materials between different nodes or sources, and can help to simplify complex systems by breaking them down into more manageable components. But how do you create a Sankey chart, and what are some of the different ways in which these diagrams can be applied? Let’s dive in to explore the world of Sankey charts.
Creating a Sankey Diagram
Sankey diagrams are often created using specialized charting software such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Tableau, or specialized tools like Holoviews, Plotly, and others. However, let’s go through some general steps to create a Sankey diagram without any advanced software:
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Data Preparation:
Start by gathering the relevant data for your chart, including the flow amounts (the quantity being transferred between two nodes) and the nodes themselves. Each source and destination node will need to be identified, along with the specific flow data. -
Layout Considerations:
Decide on the layout of your flow diagram. Common layouts include radial, horizontal, and vertical. The radial layout is useful for showing hierarchical data with a central starting node, while horizontal and vertical layouts work well for data shown as a flow between two or more nodes. Keep aesthetics in mind – a clutter-free, readable diagram is easier to understand. -
Node Drawing:
Define the nodes, which are the individual points or labels that your ‘flows’ will connect. Each node should have a label and be assigned a unique color or style for visual distinction. -
Connection and Flow:
Connect the nodes with ‘flow’ lines called ‘arcs’. The width of the arcs should represent the magnitude of the flow. For better visual clarity, arcs representing larger flows should be thicker than those with smaller flows. Each arc should connect exactly two nodes and should include an optional label showing the value of the flow. -
Adding Details:
You may also include the start and/or end totals for your diagram, showing overall inflow and outflow amounts.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts are particularly useful in fields such as:
Energy Flow Analysis
Engineering and environmental studies frequently use Sankey diagrams to represent energy flows in systems, from renewable energy sources to industrial processes. This makes it easier to identify wasted energy or areas for efficiency improvements.
Financial Management
Businesses can use Sankey diagrams to visualize financial flows, showing how cash moves in and out of accounts or how different parts of a venture fund contribute and receive profits.
Resource Management
Water management systems can visualize a water cycle’s flow from sources, through storage, usage, and return, showing conservation needs or leakages.
Supply Chain Analysis
Companies can depict supply chain flows, identifying bottlenecks, major suppliers, or clients to optimize operations.
Biological Network Analysis
In medicine and bioinformatics, Sankey charts can be used to depict molecular pathways, showing how different substances interact and move through cellular processes.
Public Policy Examination
Government agencies studying traffic patterns, environmental impact, or public spending habits can leverage Sankey diagrams for clear visual understanding.
Conclusion
Sankey diagrams provide a powerful solution when dealing with complex flow dynamics in data, whether that be energy, cash, resources, or biological molecules, to name a few. By meticulously mapping out the flow relationships as a series of arcs connecting nodes, these charts simplify and clarify the intricate pathways at play, thereby aiding visualization and decision-making processes. Thus, regardless of the specific application, knowing how to create and interpret Sankey diagrams can improve our ability to understand and manage complex systems more effectively.
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