The Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is used to show the causal relationships between different factors. It was originally developed by William Sankey in the early 20th century and has since become a popular tool for visualizing complex systems. In this article, we will explore the creation of Sankey charts, as well as some of the many applications that they can be used for.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart is a type of flowchart that is used to show the causal relationships between different factors. It is named after the statistician William Sankey, who first developed the chart in the early 20th century. Unlike other types of flowcharts, which are used to show the movement of goods or services, a Sankey chart is used to show the flow of energy or information between different factors.

The Sankey chart consists of a set of directed arrows, which represent the flow of energy or information between different factors. The arrows are color-coded to show the direction and magnitude of the flow, and the chart includes a legend that explains the meaning of each arrow.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart is relatively easy, once you have the necessary data. To create a Sankey chart, follow these steps:

1. Gather your data: The first step in creating a Sankey chart is to gather the necessary data. This data should consist of pairs of factors, each of which represents a source and a destination for some type of energy or information.
2. Organize the data: Once you have gathered your data, you will need to organize it into a format that is suitable for use with a Sankey chart. This usually involves creating a spreadsheet or a table of the data, with one column for each source factor and one column for each destination factor.
3. Determine the direction and magnitude of the flow: Each arrow in a Sankey chart represents a flow of energy or information between two factors. To determine the direction and magnitude of the flow, you will need to look at the unit of measurement for each factor and decide whether it is being consumed or produced.
4. Create the chart: Once you have organized your data and determined the direction and magnitude of the flow, you can create the Sankey chart. Use a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets to create the chart, and follow these general guidelines:
   • Create a new chart with a single data series
   • Add the source and destination factors as columns in the chart
   • Add the directed arrows to the chart to represent the flow of energy or information between the factors
   • Color-code the arrows to show the direction and magnitude of the flow

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are a useful tool for visualizing complex systems, as they allow users to see the causal relationships between different factors in a clear and simple way. Some of the many applications of Sankey charts include:

1. Energy consumption: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy between different sources and destinations. This can be useful for identifying areas where energy can be saved or improved.
2. Water use: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of water between different sources and destinations, such as rivers, lakes, and storm drains. This can be useful for identifying areas where water can be conserved or improved.
3. Economic systems: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of goods and services between different parts of an economy. This can be useful for identifying areas where trade can be improved or where imbalances may exist.
4. Social networks: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of information between different individuals or groups within a social network. This can be useful for identifying areas where information can be shared more effectively or where relationships may be improved.

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