Unleashing the Power of Flow: A Journey through Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that visually represent the distribution, movement, or transformation of material or energy. They are used widely in fields such as physics, engineering, environmental science, economics, business, and social studies to illustrate the flow dynamics. This article will guide you through the creation of Sankey charts and showcase their diverse applications, emphasizing the potential of these charts to reveal hidden insights and make complex data more digestible.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey diagrams are flow network diagrams with proportional edge widths, indicating the importance, frequency, or volume of flows between nodes or states. They are named after Captain Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, who used this type of chart to illustrate the energy efficiency of steam engines.

Elements of a Sankey Chart

Source: The starting point of the flow.
Flow: The movement of materials or energy from one node to another.
Sink: The end point of the flow.
Intermediary nodes: Points where flows can be split, merged, or transferred.

Creation of Sankey Charts

To create an effective Sankey chart, several tools are available, including:

Microsoft Excel: Although Excel isn’t the most powerful tool, it does offer a Sankey chart feature from Excel 2016 onwards.
Tableau: A powerful data visualization tool that allows for the creation of both simple and complex Sankey diagrams.
D3.js: A JavaScript library that provides advanced customization and interactivity in Sankey chart creation.
Sankey Diagram Library in R: For R users, there’s a variety of packages and tools including sankeyR and diagram package that specifically cater to Sankey diagram creation.

Steps to Create a Sankey Chart

Data Preparation: Gather the necessary data that includes sources, flows, and destinations. The data typically requires a list of flows with:
- Start nodes: The origins of the flows.
- End nodes: The destinations of the flows.
- Flow intensity: The quantity or volume of the flow (represented by the width of the arrows).
Choose a Tool: Depending on your needs and the level of complexity, select a tool that aligns with your requirements.
Input Data: Enter the data into the chosen tool, following the specific formats required. Most tools have a guide or template to help with the initial setup.
Design and customize your chart: Adjust the layout, colors, labels, and other visual elements to enhance clarity and readability.
Review and finalize: Ensure all elements are accurately represented, and the chart tells the intended story without confusion.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts find applications across various domains for their unique ability to visualize flows and transformations:

Environmental Science

Resource Tracking: Displaying the flow of water, energy, or waste between different stages of production and consumption.
Carbon Footprint Analysis: Showing the sources of carbon emissions and where they are directed.

Economics and Business

Value Chain Analysis: Mapping the flow of goods or services within an industry or supply chain.
Market Analysis: Understanding the distribution and transfer of goods between different geographical locations.

Social Studies

Migration Patterns: Illustrating the movement of people between regions or countries over time.
Resource Distribution: Showing the allocation and consumption of resources within an ecosystem or community.

Healthcare

Drug Trails: Demonstrating the pathway of a medical treatment from development to administration and outcomes.
Patient Journey Map: Tracing the stages of patient engagement, treatment, and recovery within a healthcare system.

Physics and Engineering

Energy Efficiency: Graphically comparing the input and output energies in devices or systems.
Heat Loss Calculation: Analyzing the distribution of heat in thermal systems.

Sankey diagrams are not just about visual aesthetics; they are powerful tools that enhance understanding and facilitate communication of complex processes. By creating Sankey charts with the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively unleash their power to reveal insightful patterns in flow dynamics within diverse fields.

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.