Flow Masterclass: Unveiling the Hidden Beauty of Sankey Diagrams

In the world of data visualization, Sankey diagrams are like a hidden treasure map. These elegant, flowing charts reveal energy and material transfer volumes at a glance, making them a preferred choice for engineers, scientists, and researchers across diverse fields. In this masterclass, we delve into the creation and applications of Sankey diagrams, unraveling their hidden beauty and showcasing how they can transform your understanding of data.

Introduction to Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams are named after the British mechanical engineer, Dr. William Playfair, who, in the early 19th century, designed this type of visual representation. Sankey diagrams depict system behavior through flows that have an “in” arrow at one edge and an “out” arrow at the opposite edge. Over the years, these diagrams have evolved in style and functionality but remain a powerful tool for showing flow processes.

The Basics of Sankey Diagram Creation

Elements of a Sankey Diagram

To create a Sankey diagram, you need to understand its basic components:

1. Nodes: Represent the components (e.g., processes, locations, or entities) within the system.
2. Arrows: Flow lines that demonstrate the movement of material, energy, or information between nodes.
3. Sankey Boxes: Areas around the arrows that signify the flow magnitude relative to other flows, ensuring that the diagram can depict the relative volumes accurately.

Steps to Create a Sankey Diagram

1. Define the System: Identify the components that make up the system under study.
2. Determine the Flows: Establish which flows are relevant and what quantity each flow represents (e.g., energy use, material flow, transactions).
3. Choose a Database or Software: Use databases or data visualization software capable of generating Sankey diagrams, such as Microsoft Excel (with extensions), Gephi, or Sankey-Diagrammer.
4. Design the Nodes and Arrows: Set up the nodes and arrows, making sure that the flows are appropriately linked between them.
5. Adjust the Sankey Boxes: Customize the size of the Sankey boxes to match the flow magnitude and to ensure that the boxes are properly aligned with the flow direction.

Best Practices

• Ensure accurate flow measurements.
• Use consistent units and colors.
• Maintain a consistent scale across the entire diagram.
• Limit the complexity to avoid visual clutter.

Applications of Sankey Diagrams

Energy and Environment

In the field of energy management and environmental studies, Sankey diagrams help visualize energy flows, carbon footprints, and resource utilization. For instance, they can show the efficiency of energy conversion processes in power plants or the distribution of energy in a district heating system.

Manufacturing and Processes

Sankey diagrams are excellent tools for tracking material flow in manufacturing processes. They can assist in identifying bottlenecks, optimizing resource use, or comparing the efficiency of different production methods.

Economics

In economics, Sankey diagrams can illustrate trade flows, investment patterns, and economic transfers between entities, providing a clear visual representation of interconnections and dependencies within economic systems.

Supply Chains

For supply chain management, Sankey diagrams provide a visual summary of the materials or products moving through the supply chain, showing the cost and time it takes for these items to reach their destination.

Data Science

Data scientists use Sankey diagrams to depict data flow in algorithms and machine learning models. This helps understand the complexity of the data flow and the dependencies between variables.

Communication

The simplicity and effectiveness of Sankey diagrams make them useful for explaining complex concepts to non-experts, whether in presentations or reports.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams are a versatile tool for visualizing complex systems and processes. By demystifying their creation and application, this masterclass has provided a foundation for uncovering the hidden beauty within these data visualizations. As you continue to expand your understanding of Sankey diagrams, remember that they are not just about the numbers—they are a visual language for understanding the flow of information, energy, and materials in our world. Embrace the flow, and you’ll find a world of knowledge at your fingertips.

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.