Flowing Stories: Unveiling the Mysteries of Sankey Charts
In the world of data visualization, the Sankey chart is a unique and powerful tool that provides an elegant way to depict the flow of materials, energy, or cost across an industrial process, business operation, or ecosystem. Sankey charts have been a part of engineering and data analysis for over a century and are making a significant comeback in today’s data-driven age. This article takes a deep dive into the history, creation, and applications of Sankey charts, uncovering their role in modern storytelling with data.
The History of Sankey Charts
The Sankey chart was originally developed by William Playfair in 1857, and it was named after his follower, Sankey, who popularized the use of this chart type around the same time. Sankeys were initially used in the context of Victorian engineering and industrial design to help engineers understand and communicate the flow of materials and energy within a production process. The form and design of modern Sankey charts have evolved from these early applications.
Crafting a Sankey Chart
Sankey charts typically feature an arrow (or “stream”) that flows between systems, illustrating energy or materials that go in and out of processes. The width of the arrow is directly related to the magnitude of the flow, giving the chart a distinct and intuitive layout. Here’s how you can create a Sankey chart:
1. Define Your Data
Establish the materials, energy, or costs that you want to track. This will form the basis of your Sankey diagram—every arrow represents a flow.
2. Choose the Software
There are several powerful tools to create Sankey charts, some more specialized than others. Examples include SankeyMILL, Sankey Editor, OriginPro, and Microsoft Excel, among others. Some are graphical tools, while others require programming skills.
3. Lay Out Your Chart
For each step or process, you create an arrow. These arrows depict the flow and have the starting and ending points, where the input and output of the system are located.
4. Width of the Streams
Make the width of the arrows directly proportional to the magnitude of the flow. The wider the arrow, the more significant the flow from one point to another.
5. Energy or Material Balance
Ensure that the Sankey chart balances; for every input, sum equal to the sum of all the streams leading to outputs.
The Applications of Sankey Charts
Sankey charts have found an array of applications across various disciplines, some of which include:
1. Energy Analysis
Visualize the distribution and losses of energy in industrial processes, power stations, and the energy grid. Engineers use Sankey diagrams to better understand inefficiencies and to design more efficient systems.
2. Environmental Analysis
Environmental scientists can use Sankey diagrams to illustrate carbon footprints, waste flows, and other environmental data.
3. Business Analytics
Business analysts use Sankey charts for budget analysis, cost-benefit analysis, or understanding workflow within a company. This can help in identifying inefficiencies, cost-saving opportunities, and optimizing processes.
4. Urban and Infrastructure Planning
Sankeys are employed in urban planning to depict the movement of people, goods, and services throughout a city. This helps identify transportation hotspots and aids in developing effective infrastructure plans.
The Power of Visual Storytelling
One of the most significant advantages of Sankey charts is their storytelling power. By presenting data in a flowing and interconnected fashion, Sankey charts make complex information approachable and intuitive. Users can quickly grasp the most important aspects of a given system by scanning the widths of the streams and the layout of the diagram. This makes Sankey charts excellent for presentations and reports where complex data must be conveyed in a concise and visually compelling manner.
Conclusion
Flowing Stories: Unveiling the Mysteries of Sankey Charts reveals that these diagrams are more than just a historical curiosity. As a vital tool in the data visualization arsenal, Sankey charts continue to provide deep insights into the intricacies of materials, energy, and cost flow in complex systems. When wielded effectively, they help us tell the flowing stories of our data in ways that can lead to actionable insights and better decision-making.
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.
