Flow & Familiarity: Mastering the Art of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are powerful tools for visualizing flow distribution, often used in fields such as energy, logistics, finance, and information transfer. Their unique design allows for the depiction of a multi-step process, clearly illustrating the direction and quantification of flow between systems, components, or entities. This article aims to elucidate the art of Sankey chart creation and highlight their applications across various industries.

The Basics of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are a type of diagram that depict the quantities or percentages of inputs, transformations, and outputs of a system. They are often used to show the flow of materials, energy, and cost. Each Sankey chart is a flow diagram where the width of arrows is proportional to the amount of flow or work, highlighting variations and changes in the overall quantity involved.

Key Elements of a Sankey Chart

• Flow Lines: Arrows with a thickness that reflects the volume of the process. Their width is directly proportional to the flow quantity they represent.
• Nodes: The points at which two or more flow lines intersect. They represent process steps, conversions, or components.
• Pipes or Channels: The areas that include the flow lines themselves. They connect nodes, showing the direction of the flow.
• Axes: The boundary lines that enclose the flow lines, representing different dimensions of the process or system.
• Tapering: Used to depict different processes with different capacities and efficiencies, where flow lines have thicker endpoints to indicate higher flow rates.

Creating a Sankey Chart

The creation of a Sankey chart involves several steps:

1. Collecting Data: Gather comprehensive data that includes flow rates, conversion ratios, and process efficiencies.
2. Establishing Nodes: Identify the steps or components in your system that require visualization and represent them as nodes.
3. Creating Pipes: Draw lines to connect nodes, determining the direction of flow and the types of materials or processes passing through them.
4. Determining Arrow Widths: Calculate the proportionality between flow rates and the width of the arrows, ensuring they are as accurate as possible.
5. Testing and Refinement: Present your chart and gather feedback or test if the visualization is clear and accurate. Adjust where necessary.
6. Finalizing the Design: Incorporate legend, scale, and other necessary elements to make the chart comprehensive and user-friendly.

Sankey chart creation tools range from simple hand-drawings to sophisticated software like Microsoft Excel, online Sankey chart generators, and specialized applications like SANKEY or Sigma Plot.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts find applications in a variety of contexts:

Energy and Materials Flow

In energy systems, Sankey charts can display the transformation and distribution of energy, indicating where it is most efficiently used or lost as waste.

Logistics and Supply Chain

In logistics, Sankey diagrams visualize the movement and transformation of goods, showing how resources are transferred between different parts of a supply chain.

Finance and Economics

Sankey charts can illustrate the flow of money and value through an economic supply chain, from initial investment to final consumption.

Information Systems

Information science utilizes Sankey charts to depict the pathways data takes, showcasing how information flows and transforms within a system or over time.

Environmental Impact Assessment

To assess environmental impact, Sankey diagrams can illustrate the carbon flow and indicate the primary sources and sinks of emissions.

Final Thoughts

Flow and familiarity are crucial when mastering the art of Sankey charts. Understanding the nuances of flow representation and data collection allows for accurate and insightful diagrams. Familiarizing yourself with the tools and techniques for Sankey chart creation can transform complex data into a clear, engaging visual narrative. Whether you are analyzing energy systems or optimizing supply chains, Sankey charts are a valuable tool that can help you understand and communicate complex flows and distributions more effectively.

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.