Flow with Mastery: Unveiling the Art of Sankey Diagrams

Introduction

Sankey diagrams, an iconic visualization tool, have been used by engineers, scientists, and designers alike for over a century to portray complex, linear processes and demonstrate the flow of energy, materials, or information across systems. Their unique design allows for an intuitive presentation of quantities being used or transformed in various processes, making them a powerful tool for analyzing and communicating sustainability, efficiency, and complexity in systems. This article explores the history, creation technique, and applications of Sankey diagrams, shedding light on how to create these powerful visual masterpieces.

A Brief History

Sankey diagrams trace their origins back to the late 19th century, when the engineer and economist William Playfair was the first to employ a vertical flowchart to illustrate the amount of coal used in different industrial processes. A little over a decade later, a Czech engineer named Mikhail Yulievich Sankey refined the concept, coining the term “Sankey Diagram” and expanding its application to a broader range of fields.

The Art of Sankey Diagram Creation

Consecutive Steps to Craft a Sankey Diagram

1. Define the System: Identify the system you wish to analyze and the processes involved. Determine which quantities—such as energy or materials—are to be visualized in the diagram.

2. Establish the Nodes: Nodes represent the points in the system where flows enter or exit. Identify all nodes within the system, such as the beginning and end of processes, and the various stages or components within those processes.

3. Determine Flows: Calculate the volumes or intensities of flows across the system. These may change over time, which could be represented by changes in the width of the arrows in a dynamic Sankey diagram.

4. Normalize Flow Widths: According to the Sankey diagram rules, the space consumed by flow width is proportional to its magnitude. Calculate the relative magnitude and normalize the widths accordingly.

5. Create the Structure: Starting from the source or the beginning of the process, draw arrows that represent the flows. The arrows should branch out, forming nodes, and ultimately converge back at the sink or the end of the process.

6. Scale the Diagram: Scale the widths of the arrows to represent the relative magnitude of their associated flows. The process flows are typically drawn as parallel lines with thick arrows and thinner ones for minor flows to maintain clarity.

7. Fine-Tune the Design: Use software tools for more precise adjustments. Good design practices include ensuring the arrows are not intersecting and maintaining the hierarchy of information, with more significant flows being more prominent.

Applications of Sankey Diagrams

1. Energy Efficiency Analysis: Sankey diagrams are widely used in energy studies to visualize energy flows within a system, making it easy to identify inefficiencies and potential areas for improvement.

2. Environmental Diagrams: Sankey diagrams can represent the flow of raw materials or waste in a process, providing a clear picture of the environmental impact and aiding in sustainability discussions.

3. Financial Flow Analysis: Businesses may use Sankey diagrams to map the flow of revenue across different products, services, and departments.

4. Network Analysis: They can demonstrate the flow of network traffic, data, or other data points, helping to pinpoint bottlenecks and areas requiring optimization.

5. Design and Engineering: Sankey diagrams are critical in engineering projects, representing fluid dynamics, heat transfer, or mass transfer processes.

Software for Sankey Diagram Creation

Today, a variety of software tools are available to create Sankey diagrams efficiently. Some popular options include:

• Sankey Diagrams: Online platforms that allow users to create Sankey diagrams directly in the browser.
• Power BI: Microsoft’s suite of business analytics tools includes a Sankey data visualization feature.
• ProcessOn: An all-in-one diagramming tool that includes Sankey diagram capabilities.
• Visio: A commercial diagramming software by Microsoft known for its versatility in creating various diagram types, including Sankey diagrams.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams stand as a testament to the ingenuity of visual communication in the scientific, industrial, and commercial realms. By effectively portraying system complexity and the flow of information or resources within systems, these diagrams empower stakeholders to make more informed decisions and foster innovation. With the right approach and a suite of versatile software tools, anyone can create a Sankey diagram that illuminates process understanding and uncovers hidden efficiencies, all while contributing to a more informative conversation on a broad range of topics.

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