At the core of information visualization lies a simple yet effective tool known as the Sankey chart. Despite the tool’s simplicity, it is powerful enough to convey complex information in a visual way. This article will delve into the world of Sankey charts, explaining their creation and applications, and how they can help us discover the secrets of flow diagrams.
What is a Sankey Chart?
A Sankey chart is a type of flow diagram used to visually represent the flow of material, information, or data from one source to another. It is similar to a traditional flow chart, but unlike a simple straight-line flow chart, a sankey chart uses a series of interconnected lines of different colors, representing the direction and quantity of flow between objects. A Sankey chart is ideal for presenting and illustrating complex data flows, such as the movement of water or oil in a pipeline, the flow of customer orders, the supply chain of a business, or the flow of traffic in a network.
Creating a Sankey Chart
The process of creating a sankey chart is largely the same as any other flow diagram, with some additional steps to distinguish it from other flow charts. Firstly, you need to identify the objects that represent the flow, such as sources, sinks, and nodes. A sankey chart typically has nodes arranged from top to bottom or from left to right, and is oriented vertically or horizontally. This allows the flow direction of one node to be directed towards the next, making it easy to see the flow of material or information.
After you have identified all the nodes and their corresponding flows, you can start to draw the lines connecting them. The direction of the flow is typically indicated by the color of the line, with darker lines representing a stronger flow, and lighter lines indicating less movement. You can also draw nodes that are not connected to any flows, often called “loops,” to indicate areas where information or data is being generated or consumed.
An Example Sankey Chart
For a visual example of how a Sankey chart can be created and used, let us examine a simple example of how energy flows in a power plant. At the top of the chart, we have the source (“power plant”) at the bottom right. This is followed by the “fuel input” nodes, where various fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, are taken from the plant, and “heat output” nodes, where the generated heat is released. The flow is represented by the two lines connecting the fuel input and heat output nodes in the direction of heat flow.
At the bottom right of the chart, we have the “process” node, which shows the process of combustion and the flow of heat to generate power. Other nodes representing other processes, such as turbines and generators, are connected to the process node, illustrating the complete combustion cycle that powers the plant.
Now, let us dive a step deeper into the Sankey chart’s secrets.
Revealing the Secrets of Sankey Charts
Despite its simplicity, a sankey chart can unlock secrets of flow diagrams that traditional flow charts cannot. Here are some of the secrets the Sankey charts reveal:
- More Detailed Visualization: A sankey chart provides a more detailed visualization of the flow of all data, both positive and negative, than a traditional flow chart. It shows the flow of data from all directions, not just the direction from the source to the sink. This ensures that you can see all the flows in the system, showing not just a single direction of flow but the whole process or system.
- Better Understanding of Complex Systems: Sankey charts are particularly useful when working with complex systems that involve multiple sources, sinks, and flows. By visually representing the different flows in all directions, a sankey chart helps to reveal the intricate flow patterns that may have been missed in a traditional flow chart.
- Clear Understanding of Flow Directions: In contrast to a flow chart, a sankey chart can show the flow of data in all directions, not just one. This clarity in direction is crucial for understanding complex flows such as those in pipelines or natural resources flows such as river flows or oil and gas flows.
- The Potential for Analysis: Sankey charts can be analyzed in different ways to uncover patterns and insights. For example, you can calculate the total flow of materials and energy, identify the most effective flow routes, or even analyze the efficiency of the system by measuring the flow rates compared to other systems.
Conclusion
In summary, a Sankey chart provides a visual journey into the flow diagrams and offers a deep understanding of the complexity of data flows. It offers detailed visualizations, better understanding of complex systems, clear flow direction, and the potential for analysis, all of which are essential for working with flow diagrams. So, if you are creating flow diagrams or need insights into complex data flows, a Sankey chart is definitely worth exploring.
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.
