Sankey diagrams, a type of flow diagram, are increasingly being used to visualize complex processes such as energy use, environmental data, production processes, and information flows. These powerful visualizations not only simplify the understanding of complex systems but also serve as an effective storytelling tool. Crafting a Sankey diagram involves selecting, organizing, and visualizing data in a way that tells a compelling story. Here’s how to create a Sankey diagram and how they can be applied in various sectors.

Understanding Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams were invented by Harold Fawcett in 1949, inspired by early 19th century steam-engine flow diagrams. Named after the Irish engineer, John E. Sankey, who popularized them with his graphical representation of steam engine heat flow at the 1898 International Electric Exposition. These diagrams display streams of energy or flow, using thickness to represent varying quantities. They are commonly used to show mass flow rates of rivers, data transfer volumes, and in energy-use management.

Crafting Stories with Sankey Charts

Crafting a powerful Sankey diagram involves several key steps:

1. Selecting a Clear Story: Decide on the story you wish to tell. It could be about the data flow from one system to another, the energy production and consumption in a process, or any other complex flow of resources.

2. Organizing Data: Gather the necessary data and organize it into a clear format. Understand the sources and destinations of the flow. The data needs to be in a table format that can be easily input into a charting software.

3. Software or Tool Selection: Choose a tool that can help you create Sankey diagrams. Many tools such as Tableau, Excel, and various open-source software are available, each with its own set of features and user interface.

4. Creating the Diagram: Use the selected tool to input your data. The software will take care of the layout and thickness of the arrows to represent the data. It’s important to ensure that the visual representation is clear and that the diagram is not cluttered. Tools allow for customization, so you can adjust the color, width, and even the flow direction to enhance clarity.

5. Title and Labels: Clearly label the key sources, destinations, and any other important information. Ensure that the chart title accurately reflects the story being told.

6. Feedback and Iteration: Feedback from peers or stakeholders can provide valuable insights. It’s important to iterate based on input to refine the story and visualization.

Applications and Benefits

Sankey diagrams are versatile and can be applied in various fields:

• Energy and Environmental Data: They are excellent for showing energy sources, production, and consumption. For example, in a renewable energy scenario, it can show the contribution of solar and wind power to the total energy mix.

• Complex Systems Analysis: In complex processes like financial transactions or information flows, they help in understanding the distribution and movement of resources or information.

• Healthcare Data Analysis: Sankey diagrams can be used to visualize complex data in the healthcare sector, like the flow of patients through different stages of treatment.

• Social Media Data: They can help visualize the spread of content on social media platforms, showing where content originates and how it flows within different networks.

Conclusion

Sankey diagrams are a powerful tool for storytelling within data visualization. They elegantly represent complex data flows and are particularly useful for those looking to communicate the nuances of processes or systems that involve multiple, interconnected elements. By carefully crafting the story and selecting the right tools, one can leverage the full potential of Sankey diagrams to engage and inform audiences with compelling visual narratives.

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.