Flow Diagram Magic: Crafting Stories with Sankey Charts

Sankey diagrams, with their flowing layout and visual storytelling capabilities, offer a dynamic way to illustrate data flows and processes. Originally developed in the late 19th century by engineer Matthew P. Sankey to visualize energy and water flow, these diagrams have evolved into a powerful tool for data visualization across various industries. In this article, we’ll delve into the creation of Sankey charts and explore their applications, demonstrating how they can be used to craft compelling narratives and stories.

Understanding Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams are a type of flow diagram that represents a flow from one set of values to another. The width of each flow (often represented by a band of color or thickness) is typically scaled in proportion to the flow rate. For example, in an energy efficiency project, a Sankey chart could illustrate the flow of energy from different sources (like electricity or solar panels) to uses (like heating or appliances), indicating the amount of energy loss along the way.

Crafting Stories with Sankey Charts

Sankey diagrams are not just about data visualization; they are about storytelling. By using them, you can create clear, accessible visual representations that tell a story, making complex data understandable and engaging for audiences.

Storytelling Principles in Sankey Charts

1. Introduction: Start with an introduction to the main topic or question you want to explore. This sets the stage for your narrative.

2. Character (Flows): Use streams within your chart to represent the different data flows or processes. Each stream can be given a label and a color to make it easily recognizable.

3. Plot (Path and Changes): Show how the data flows or processes change over time or vary between different factors. For example, you might show how input and output levels change, or what happens when you intervene in a process (like a change in energy source or a reduction in waste).

4. Conflict (Key Issues): Highlight any points of significant loss or inefficiency within your process(es). The width of the streams can be used to emphasize these issues, visually showing their impact.

5. Resolution (Outcomes): Finally, show the outcomes of your story or the after effects of changes you introduce. This could be improvements in efficiency, reduced loss, or a transition to a more sustainable process.

Creating a Sankey Chart

To create a Sankey chart, you’ll typically need a dataset that shows how values move between different steps or categories. Here’s a simplified example of how to create a Sankey chart:

1. Collect Data: Gather your data in a format that shows the inputs (sources) and outputs (targets). Include any relevant counts or proportions.

2. Prepare Data: Organize your data in a way that will make sense in your chart. Often, you’ll list the sources, target nodes, and the amount (or proportion) of the flow between each source and target.

3. Plot Data: Using software such as R, Python, Tableau, or online Sankey diagramming tools, input your data. Make sure the color and width of your streams are chosen to emphasize your story points.

4. Add Visuals and Legends: Use colors and labels to guide your audience through your chart. Include a legend or text explanation to clarify any abbreviations or symbols you use.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey diagrams are particularly useful in:

• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency: Illustrating the flow of energy, water, or materials and highlighting inefficiencies or potential for improvement.

• Financial Flows: Visualizing money flows through processes, budgets, loan portfolios, or investments.

• Government and Policy Analyses: Exploring human capital flows, economic data, or migration patterns.

• Marketing and Customer Journey Analysis: Examining the flow of consumer engagement through different touchpoints or sales processes.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams are versatile tools for visual storytelling, capable of making complex data understandable and engaging. By choosing the right data points and structuring your narrative effectively, you can use Sankey diagrams to tell compelling stories about your processes, systems, or data sets. As you explore the creation and application of Sankey charts, you’ll find them to be a powerful ally in telling the stories of the data you want to share.

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