Sankey charts

A sankey diagram is a type of flow chart commonly used to visualize data and relationships between different sources and destinations. These charts are especially useful in visualizing complex networks of information, including supply chains, organizational structures, and social relationships.

In this article, we will provide a brief overview of sankey charts, the underlying concepts and their applications. We’ll also provide some practical tips for creating effective sankey charts in your own designs.

The Basics

A sankey diagram is composed of a series of nodes and a series of directed arrows between them. The nodes represent points or entities that can have information attached to them, and the arrows represent the flow of information from one node to another. Each node can have multiple arrows pointing from it, each representing different types of information or flows.

The diagram is typically constructed by assigning a color or color gradient to each node, and by labeling or annotating the arrows. The arrows represent the direction of information flow, and can be directed either upstream or downstream.

Here’s an example design for a sankey diagram that shows the supply chain for a manufacturing company:

• Nodes: “Ingredients”, “Components”, “Parts”
• Arrows: “Ingredients” to “Components”, “Components” to “Parts”, “Parts” to “Products”

In this sankey diagram, the nodes represent different components or raw materials that are required in the manufacturing process, such as ingredients and components. The arrows show the flow of information or materials from one component to the next, indicating the source and destination of the information or material.

Applications

Sankey diagrams are useful in a wide range of applications, including:

• Supply chain management – tracking the flow of materials and information between suppliers and manufacturing plants, helping to ensure effective supply chain management.

• Social networking – visualizing the relationships between different individuals or organizations, helping to identify potential collaborations or partnerships.

• Business analysis – analyzing the flow of information between different departments or regions within a organization.

Creating an effective sankey diagram consists of a combination of design skills and knowledge of the data you are working with.
The design process can be simplified by following a few simple steps:

1. Define the nodes and their attributes – identify the key entities or sources and destinations represented by the nodes, and label or annotate them with their names or descriptions.
2. Draw the arrows – specify the direction of information flow between the nodes, and identify the strength or weight of each arrow based on the amount of information or material that flows between them.
3. Color the nodes and arrows – assign colors or color gradients to distinguish between different sources or destinations, and to make the diagram easy to understand.

While sankey diagrams are effective at visualizing complex networks, there are a few things to keep in mind when creating them:

1. Keep it simple – Sankey diagrams can become confusing or cluttered if they are overly complex. Stick to a few key ideas and focus on creating a clear and easy-to-read design.
2. Use consistent labeling – Make sure all the labeling is consistent across the diagram, and use easy to read fonts. Try to keep the labels to a minimum for more complex designs.

In conclusion, sankey charts are an easy and effective method for visualizing complex networks and relationships between entities. By following a few simple design principles, you can create effective sankey diagrams that will help you visualize your data and ideas more easily.

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