Flowing Ideas: Unveiling Insights with Sankey Charts

Sankey diagrams, named after Matthew Stewart Sankey who used them to visualize the energy flows in an industrial steam engine in 1898, have evolved into a powerful visualization tool used across various fields. These diagrams are particularly useful for visualizing flows between entities, showing how resources move between different processes, and their transformation from one form to another. They are versatile, making them valuable for engineers, data analysts, environmental scientists, educators, and anyone looking to understand complex systems or processes. This article dives into the creation of Sankey diagrams and their extensive applications.

Understanding Sankey Charts

Sankey diagrams are composed of arrows or bands of varying widths, representing the flow of quantities from one process to another. The width of each band is proportional to the flow strength, allowing the user to quickly grasp the comparative flows and distribution of resources. For instance, in a hydroelectric power plant, the Sankey diagram would illustrate the flow of water into the turbine, the electrical consumption by the grid, and any waste water that might leave the plant, each represented by different widths of the diagram’s lanes.

Sankey Diagram Creation

Creating a Sankey diagram starts with collecting your data. You’ll need to know the amount of resource that flows from one step to the next, which can be represented by energy, water, money, people, or virtually any other type of flow. Once you have your data, the next step is to decide your goal (are you highlighting efficiency, resource allocation, or something else?), which will guide your choice of software or tools. Many free and paid tools exist, ranging from Excel plugins to specialized software and online tools designed solely for creating Sankey diagrams.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Data Collection: Gather the necessary data points.
2. Software Selection: Choose a tool based on your experience level, data complexity, and budget considerations.
3. Data Entry: Input your data into the software.
4. Diagram Design: Layout and design your Sankey diagram according to your objectives.
5. Modification and Optimization: Adjust the widths, colors, and labels to enhance clarity and make the visualization more engaging.
6. Feedback and Adjustments: Share your Sankey diagram with a focus group for feedback and make any necessary adjustments.

Application of Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams are applicable in a wide array of fields. Here are a few notable applications:

1. Environmental Science and Efficiency Analysis

• Carbon Footprints: Analyzing carbon emissions across industries or personal lifestyles.
• Energy Transformation: Visualizing energy flows in buildings or entire energy grids.
• Water Usage: Understanding water consumption patterns in cities or businesses.

2. Business and Economics

• Supply Chains: Analyzing the flow of goods and money within supply chains.
• Retail and Sales: Creating a visual representation of sales distribution.
• Marketing Funnels: Visualizing the flow of leads and conversions from marketing activities.

3. Health and Public Policy

• Healthcare Operations: Understanding the efficiency of healthcare services, from patient flow to resource allocation.
• Drug Epidemics: Visualizing the spread and consumption patterns of drugs, helping to identify and target interventions.
• Public Health Campaigns: Showing reach and effectiveness of health campaigns.

4. Data Science and Information Visualization

• Data Flows: Understanding data transformations and flows in data pipelines.
• Project Management: Visualizing project timelines and resource allocation.
• Information Chains: Displaying information flow across different media or within organizations.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams provide a clear, intuitive way to visualize the flow of resources between processes. Their creation process is straightforward once you have a grasp of the basic principles and tools. Their applications are vast, making them invaluable for professionals and researchers in virtually every field. Whether you’re an environmental scientist, an energy analyst, a project manager, or a data scientist, Sankey diagrams can help you understand, communicate, and act on the complex flows and processes with which you deal.

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.