Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing flows and connections between different entities or categories. Originally developed by the Scottish physicist Captain John Eyre Holman Sankey, they use arrows or “ribbons” to show the direction and magnitude of the flow, making it easy to see where resources are going and how they’re distributed.
In this article, we’ll explore the power of Sankey charts, their creation process, and their various applications.
What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts work by displaying the flow of values, such as money or quantity, between different categories. The width of the arrows or ribbons in the chart is proportional to the magnitude of the flow, and the color of the arrows can represent the type of flow (e.g., green for energy usage, red for waste). This allows viewers to quickly grasp the relationships between the categories and the relative importance of each flow.
Creating Sankey Charts

Creating a Sankey chart involves several steps:

1. Identify the categories and flows: The first step is to identify the different categories or entities involved in the flow, as well as the specific flows between them. This could be anything from the financial transactions within an organization to the energy consumption between different power plants.
2. Gather the data: The next step is to gather the data for the chart. This could involve collecting data from various sources, such as databases, spreadsheets, or other data files.
3. Determine the layout: The layout of the chart will depend on the number of categories and flows involved. Some common layouts include clustered, hierarchical, and linear.
4. Design the chart: Designing the chart involves making choices about the width and color of the ribbons, the font size and style, and any other design elements. This will depend on the specific requirements and preferences of the viewer.
5. Finalize the chart: Once the design is finalized, the final step is to create the chart using a charting tool such as Excel, PowerBI, or a specialized tool such as Sankey Flow Designer.

Sankey Chart Applications

Sankey charts can be used in a variety of fields and industries, including:

1. Business and Finance: Sankey charts are commonly used by businesses to visualize financial flows, such as revenue, profit, expenses, and cash flow between different departments, suppliers, and customers.
2. Energy Management: Sankey charts can be used to visualize energy flows between different power plants, transmission lines, and demand centers. This can help organizations optimize their energy usage and identify areas for improvement.
3. Healthcare: Sankey charts can be used in healthcare to visualize patient flows, such as the number of patients entering a hospital, the types of treatments provided, and the number of patients discharged or admitted to different facilities.
4. Environmental Science: Sankey charts can be used to visualize the flow of energy, materials, and waste between different systems, such as ecosystems, urban areas, and production processes. This can help scientists and policymakers make informed decisions about sustainability and resource management.
5. Transportation and Logistics: Sankey charts can be used to visualize transportation flows, such as cargo movement between ports, airports, and logistics centers. This can help organizations optimize their transportation networks and reduce costs.

In conclusion, Sankey charts are a powerful tool for visualizing flows and connections between entities or categories. By using arrows or ribbons to show the direction and magnitude of the flow, Sankey charts make it easy to see where resources are going and how they’re distributed. Whether you’re a business, a scientist, or a logistics expert, Sankey charts can help you optimize your operations and make informed decisions about resource management.

SankeyMaster

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