Sankey diagrams are a powerful visual tool for representing complex flows of data and information, often referred to as “flowing ideas.” These diagrams, named after British engineer Sankey, first used them to visualize energy efficiency in steam engines, showing how much energy was lost in various processes. Today, they are used across a wide range of fields to visualize data flows, from scientific research to marketing analytics, and they serve as a visual bridge between raw data and intuitive understanding.
Understanding Sankey Charts
Sankey diagrams are made up of several connected bars, which are then slanted in a series. The width of the bars represents the strength of the data flow. Wider lines signify a greater volume or intensity of data, making it easier for viewers to understand the relative magnitude of the data being represented. The connections between bars illustrate the flow of data from one value to another, creating a visual flowchart that can convey relationships and flows that might be complex or hard to grasp with other types of charts.
Creating Sankey Charts
Creating a Sankey chart can be a bit technical. Typically, it involves a basic understanding of data analysis and a proficiency in using data visualization tools like Excel, Tableau, or R for more complex and detailed representations. The process includes:
-
Data Preparation: Gathering the data that you want to represent in the Sankey chart. This usually involves several variables that you want to flow from one point to another, such as the different types of energy inputs and outputs.
-
Organizing Data: Organizing your data in a structured way, often in a spreadsheet, where each row represents a different flow and columns can categorize the source, destination, and magnitude of the flow.
-
Selecting a Tool: Deciding on the tool you will use. Excel and Tableau are user-friendly options for basic Sankey chart creation, while R and Python offer more customization capabilities for more experienced users.
-
Chart Creation: Using the tool you’ve selected, you’ll input your data and customize the look and feel of your Sankey chart. This includes deciding on the layout of the chart, the colors for the different types of flows, and any other variables that can help make your chart more understandable.
Applications and Benefits
Sankey diagrams are versatile and helpful in multiple contexts. They can:
-
Visualize Energy Flows: They are commonly used to show how energy is distributed and lost across different processes in a system, from renewable energy sources to buildings and industries.
-
Analyze Data Flows: In digital marketing, Sankey diagrams can be used to see where visitors to a website are navigating from and to, or how data moves through a database or CRM system.
-
Represent Complex Systems: They can effectively illustrate the complex flow of materials or goods through a supply chain, or the movement of funds through an economy.
-
Communicate Complex Data: By making complex flows look simple, they help non-specialists understand the complexity of the data.
Conclusion
Sankey diagrams are a visual treasure trove for data visualization, allowing us to see the “flowing ideas” that were previously just a series of abstract numbers or ideas. Whether used for academic research to understand energy efficiency, for marketing to understand website traffic, or for project management to understand how tasks are delegated and completed, Sankey diagrams are a powerful tool in the hands of anyone needing to visualize and understand complex data flows. With the proliferation of data analysis tools and software, creating Sankey diagrams has become accessible to a wide range of users, making them one of the most effective and visually engaging ways to visualize relationships and flows in data.
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.
