Flow of Thought: Unveiling Insights with Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams, named after Mark Sankey, an engineer working for the Dublin Corporation Waterworks Department in the late 19th century, are a type of flow diagram that helps visualize the distribution of energy, mass, or quantities along a flow. They are particularly useful in illustrating processes that involve flow-related data and are becoming increasingly popular across various fields, from energy and water management to data analysis and more. This article delves into the creation and applications of Sankey diagrams, showcasing their unique ability to visualize complex flows and unveil insights that might otherwise go undiscovered.

Understanding Sankey Diagrams

At their core, Sankey diagrams are a visual representation of a system’s input, output, and internal transfers. They are structured with a set of vertical bars, where the width of these bars represents the magnitude of the flow. The directionality of these flows is often denoted by the direction of arrowheads, indicating the flow direction. The balance between inputs and outputs is clearly depicted, as any imbalance would necessitate or lead to an energy or quantity source/sink that is not visible in the diagram.

Creating Sankey Diagrams

Creating a Sankey diagram is a straightforward process, achievable with a variety of tools and programming languages. Here’s a basic guideline on how to create one:

Data Collection: Begin by collecting the flow data, which should include the source, destination, and quantity of the flow. Ensure your data is in a format that can be inputted into the software or programming language you’ll be using.
Software or Programming Language Selection: Tools like Microsoft Excel, Tableau, and R’s ggplot2 offer built-in capabilities for creating Sankey diagrams. For more complex or customized diagrams, Python’s Matplotlib, Bokeh, and Plotly libraries are highly recommended.
Configure Software/Program Interface: Input your data into the relevant software or programming interface. Most platforms will guide you through setting up your data for Sankey diagram creation, including selecting the correct variables for the flow’s source, destination, and magnitude.
Customization: Once your diagram is created, take time to customize it to your liking. You can adjust the colors, labels, and the thickness of the arrows to make the diagram more visually appealing and easier to interpret.

Applications of Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams are versatile tools with a wide range of applications in various industries and academic fields:

Energy Use Analysis: Sankey diagrams are invaluable in analyzing energy flows within buildings, cities, or even within individual appliances. They help identify areas where energy is wasted or inefficiencies occur.
Water Management: They are used to understand the distribution of water resources and identify leaks or inefficient uses in water supply systems.
Healthcare: In healthcare, Sankey diagrams can be used to visualize the flow of patients through different care stages or to identify bottlenecks in care delivery.
Data Analysis and Visualization: Sankey diagrams offer a unique perspective on data flow analysis, helping to visualize the movement of data within and between systems in both physical and virtual environments.
Education: They can be used to illustrate the flow of ideas, information, or knowledge in educational settings, helping students understand complex processes in a simplified manner.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams are a powerful tool for visualizing complex flows, offering a dynamic and accessible way to understand processes that involve the movement of energy, information, or material. With the right tools and techniques, users can create these diagrams to explore their data in new and insightful ways. Whether in energy management, data analysis, or educational outreach, the flow of thought facilitated by Sankey diagrams can provide valuable insights and help guide decision-making processes.

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.