Flow Visual Gold: Unveiling the Sankey Chart Bonanza
Sankey charts, also known as Sankey diagrams, are a type of flow diagram that represent the quantitative relationships of various inputs, outputs, and processes. They were first developed in the 19th century and their distinctive visual structure has earned them the nickname “Flow Visual Gold.” Due to their ability to beautifully illustrate the flow of energy or materials in a system, Sankey charts are increasingly becoming a vital tool in a variety of fields such as systems analysis, process engineering, and energy management.
What is a Sankey Chart?
Imagine a river flowing throughout a landscape, splitting into branches, then merging back together. The Sankey chart mirrors this concept by visually representing the flow of resources or energy from sources to destinations. They are composed of arrows that are typically wider where the flow is greater than where it’s smaller. The ‘Sankey beauty’ lies in its simplicity and the clarity it offers in illustrating complex relationships and processes.
Each entity within a Sankey chart has its unique vector, and the width of each arrow is directly proportional to the quantity of the flow, which runs from left to right or top to bottom. This makes Sankey charts particularly apt for analyzing systems in which the quantity or intensity of inputs and outputs vary across different points.
How to Create a Sankey Chart
Creating a Sankey chart involves several steps and tools, from data analysis to visual representation. Here’s a basic guide to help you undertake the Sankey chart creation bonanza:
Step 1: Data collection and organization
The first step is to gather data about the system you are interested in studying. This could include the flows of materials, energy, resources, and people. Organize this data to ensure you can track its movement across the system.
Step 2: Definition of entities and channels
Identify the entities (such as materials, processes, or components) and define the channels (the arrows) that will represent the flow between each entity. The width of these channels will reflect the magnitude of flow.
Step 3: Sankey chart design
Select a software or tool to create your Sankey chart, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Illustrator, or specialized software like Sankey Flowchart or SanKey Diagrams for Word. These tools provide drag-and-drop interfaces for creating arrows and adjusting their widths.
Step 4: Mapping data to the chart
Input your data into the software or tool. The software should allow you to set the starting and ending nodes for the flows and the thickness of the channels based on the data magnitude.
Step 5: Finalizing the design
Once your Sankey chart is populated with data, review and adjust the layout for clarity and consistency. Ensure that the channels are logically arranged and the data flows are clearly represented.
Step 6: Share your creation
After achieving a final visual design, you can share your Sankey chart with others, either on paper or through digital means. It’s a powerful way to convey the complexity of a system in a concise and intuitive form.
Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey diagrams have a wide range of applications across various fields:
Energy Management
Sankey charts are often used in the energy sector to show where energy is used and lost. They help to visualize the energy efficiency of systems and pinpoint areas where energy is being wasted.
Environmental Science
In environmental studies, Sankey charts can illustrate the flow of matter, energy, and pollutants in ecosystems, offering insights into environmental processes and their impacts.
Business Analysis
In business, they are employed to show the flow of costs, profits, and resources through a value chain, identifying areas of potential waste or inefficiency.
Logistics and Supply Chain
They can diagram the flow of goods and materials through a supply chain, revealing bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the distribution process.
Manufacturing and Process Engineering
Sankey charts are used to track the flow of materials, energy, and products through manufacturing processes, helping engineers identify areas for efficiency improvements.
Sankey charts are not just a trend; they are a testament to human ingenuity in visualizing complex information in a way that is both engaging and meaningful. As the Sankey chart bonanza continues to unfold, we anticipate an explosion of creative and analytical applications that make the “Flow Visual Gold” even more valuable in the future.
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.
