Sankey charts are an excellent tool for visualizing complex data flows, especially when you’re dealing with a large number of input and output sources. In this article, we will dive into the world of Sankey charts, exploring how to create them and their various applications.
What Are Sankey Charts?
Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that shows the movement of objects or quantities between different categories or stages in a process. Named after their inventor, the Scottish engineer Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, these charts were initially used in the 19th century to analyze the energy output of steam engines.
Sankey diagrams are particularly useful when you want to illustrate how inputs are transformed into outputs in a series of connected stages. They can help convey complex relationships in a way that is easy for the human eye to understand, making analytics more accessible and engaging.
Key Features of Sankey Charts
Visual Clarity
One of Sankey charts’ most striking qualities is their visual clarity. By using color-coded bands or links with varying widths to represent different quantities, the structure and magnitude of data flow become immediately apparent.
Ease of Understanding
Sankey diagrams simplify complex data flows, making them easily understandable, even for audiences without a strong background in data or analytics. This makes them useful for presentations, reports, and educational materials.
Scalability
You can include as many input and output categories as you need, making Sankey charts highly scalable to represent very large and intricate data flow scenarios.
Customizability
With a range of customization options, such as different colors, shapes, and orientations, you can tailor a Sankey chart to match your specific needs or corporate branding guidelines.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart typically involves several steps:
- Gather Data: Collect the data that you want to represent in your chart. This data should include the flow quantities between different stages or categories.
- Normalize Data: For each flow, determine the proportion of each input that contributes to the output. This is necessary for accurately visualizing the data.
- Design Layout: Decide on a layout for your chart. You may choose a linear, radial, or matrix layout, depending on the complexity and specific requirements of your data.
-
Implement Software or Tools: Use a tool or software to create the chart. Popular tools include data visualization libraries such as Plotly, D3.js, and Tableau. Some examples are:
- Plotly: A Python library built on top of D3.js and NumPy, ideal for creating interactive graphs.
- D3.js: A JavaScript library for producing dynamic, interactive data visualizations in web browsers. It’s highly customizable and can be used alongside tools like Node.js or directly in the browser.
- Tableau: A comprehensive data visualization and business intelligence tool that allows you to easily create both basic and complex charts, including Sankey diagrams.
-
Customize and Adjust: After creating the basic chart, you can customize it further, such as adjusting the size, colors, and labels of the nodes and links. Add titles, subtitles, and other descriptive elements to enhance the chart’s readability and understanding.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts have a wide range of applications across various industries:
Energy Management
In the field of energy, Sankey diagrams are used to analyze the journey of energy from its sources (like fossil fuels, nuclear, or renewable sources) to various end-use applications (such as residential, commercial, and industrial sectors). This visualization helps in understanding energy efficiency, waste, and potential improvements in energy systems.
Supply Chain Analysis
Sankey charts are useful in supply chain and logistics to show the flow of goods from suppliers to customers, including intermediate stages like warehouses. By visualizing how products move through the chain, organizations can identify bottlenecks, optimize routes, and reduce waste.
Network Analysis
In network analysis, particularly in computer science and telecommunications, Sankey diagrams help in visualizing data flows such as internet traffic, information transmission across a network, or software package dependencies.
Environmental Science
Environmental science often uses Sankey diagrams to analyze pollution emissions or ecological flows, showing the transfer of materials or the flux between ecosystems or through various industrial processes.
Marketing and Sales Analysis
Sankey charts can provide valuable insights into customer journeys, customer acquisition, and sales processes. By visualizing the different touchpoints and stages from awareness to purchase, businesses can optimize their marketing strategies and sales funnel.
Conclusion
Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that transforms complex data flows into an easily digestible format. Whether you’re analyzing energy production and consumption, optimizing supply chains, or understanding marketing funnels, Sankey diagrams offer a clear and engaging way to present your data. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create compelling Sankey charts that effectively communicate your findings to a diverse audience.
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.
