Flow Fantastic: The Charismatic World of Sankey’s Streamlined Storytelling
The world of data visualization is brimming with tools designed to tell the story of information flow, but none manages to capture that story with as much elegance and simplicity as Sankey diagrams. These dynamic graphics, with their flowing arrows and colorful streams, have taken the data storytelling landscape by storm. We delve into the fascinating world of Sankey diagrams, exploring their creation, applications, and the charm that lies in their ability to make complex data flow come to life.
The Sankey Diagram: A Brief History
The Sankey diagram, named after its creator, English physicist William Playfair, was first introduced in his 1858 book “The Graphical Representation of Statistical Data.” However, it was not until the 20th century, when German engineer Dr. Max Schmidl introduced the streamlined model that we now recognize, that Sankey diagrams became a popular tool for process and flow analysis.
Created out of Playfair’s early concept of “river diagrams” for flow and distribution of heat, which visually showed the heat energy flow in an industrial process, Sankey diagrams were first used in chemical engineering. Their popularity expanded across various fields, including environmental studies, energy, and finance, where they became a go-to tool for illustrating complex processes involving flow.
Creating a Sankey Diagram: A Visual Journey
Sankey diagrams are quite unique in their structure and visual cues. They include the following key elements:
1. Flow Volumes: The width of the arrow or stream within a Sankey diagram represents the volume or value of the flow it depicts.
2. Directionality: Flow is always depicted in the direction of the arrow, and the starting and ending points should indicate input and output, respectively.
3. Streams: Arrows with uniform thickness show a consistent flow, while varying width and direction communicate changes in volume and direction.
4. Nodes: The connecting points between two or more Sankey streams are called nodes.
Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a basic Sankey diagram:
1. Define the Processes
Identify the components or flows in your process, such as materials, energy, or money, and how they transform or are distributed.
2. Establish the Flow Points
Sketch out a flowchart or map of the process, noting all the points where flows are introduced, transferred, or consumed.
3. Determine Flow Quantities
Quantify your flows, determining the volume or value that moves from one process to the next. This may require breaking down complex sets of data into easier-to-understand metrics.
4. Assign Widths to the Arrows
The width of each arrow in the diagram is proportional to the volume or value of the flow it represents. Use a consistent scaling to ensure comparability between different streams.
5. Finalize the Layout
Arrange the streams on the page, making sure to respect the flow direction and maintain a logical orientation.
6. Annotate Where Needed
Include appropriate labels and annotations to help viewers understand the diagram. Make sure the flow points have clear names to prevent ambiguity.
Applications of Sankey Diagrams
Sankey diagrams’ unique combination of clarity and complexity allows them to be a versatile tool across a variety of fields. Here are a few of their applications:
Environmental Engineering
Sankey diagrams are ideal for illustrating the energy flows of an industrial process or the waste generation of a manufacturing operation. They help identify areas for efficiency improvements and environmental impact assessments.
Finance and Economy
In the financial world, Sankey diagrams can visualize the flow of money, investments, or resources, offering insights into the economic activities of individuals, organizations, or countries.
Energy Management
For assessing and improving energy efficiency in buildings, transport, and manufacturing, Sankey diagrams provide a straightforward way to illustrate the use and waste of energy.
Research and Development
Sankey diagrams help in visualizing the complex processes involved in research and development, showing flow of ideas, funding, resources, and publications between various projects and institutions.
Conclusion
The Sankey diagram is more than just a visualization tool; it’s a window into the often-overlooked flows and exchanges that define our world. Their ability to condense complex information into an intuitive visual representation that is both educational and engaging makes them a fantastic choice for any data storyteller. Embracing the streamlined storytelling of Sankey diagrams can transform the way we understand and communicate flow processes across diverse fields, turning data flow into a fascinating and actionable narrative.
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