Unleashing the Power of Flows: A Visual Odyssey with Sankey Charts

Sankey charts, also known as flow diagrams or energy flow diagrams, are a type of visualization that represents the flow of quantities, such as materials, energy, or data, between different nodes in a system. Originating from a paper by Professor Grace Brewster Furniss in 1898, Sankey charts have gradually evolved into a more powerful, versatile tool used by various industries for a plethora of applications. They have proven to be an effective means of simplifying, enhancing, and revealing intricate patterns, relationships, and distributions of data. In this article, we explore the creation and applications of Sankey charts, and why they may be the solution for transforming complex data into elegant, informative visual odysseys.

What are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts visually depict flows using arrows, typically arranged side-by-side, to represent the movement or distribution of entities over time or through interconnected systems. Each arrow has two lines, one at its source and one at its destination, reflecting the magnitude of the flow between the two points. This type of chart uses the width of the lines as a visual cue to the quantity of the flow, allowing viewers to understand not just the direction but also the significance of the data at a glance.

Creating Sankey Charts

Creating a Sankey chart requires a few key steps:

1. Data Collection: Gather data that represents flows—any number of entities moving from one node to another. This data can be sourced from inventory, production, stock exchanges, electricity usage, or other systems where inputs and outputs are tracked.

2. Data Preparation: Organize your data into categories for each flow, assigning weights to represent the magnitude of the flow. This typically involves creating a dataset where each row contains information on the source, destination, and weight of the flow.

3. Choosing Software: Select a software or tool that supports the creation of Sankey diagrams. There are many choices including native functions in data visualization software like Tableau, Python libraries such as Plotly and Matplotlib, and standalone tools like yEd and SmartDraw.

4. Design Your Chart:

   • Map out the nodes (categories or entities) that are involved in the flows.
   • Add flows (arrows) between nodes, determining their position, direction, width, and color.
   • Customize the visual elements like colors, font sizes, and labels for clarity and aesthetics.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts find applications across various sectors, enhancing decision-making through clear, concise visual representations:

Business Analytics:

• Monitoring supply chains for efficient material movement and pinpointing bottlenecks.
• Analyzing energy consumption to identify peak usage patterns and potential savings.
• Tracking financial transactions for better financial planning and forecasting.

Energy and Environmental Studies:

• Modeling the flow of energy through power grids to optimize energy distribution or explore renewable energy sources.
• Visualizing greenhouse gas emissions by industries or countries to understand and mitigate environmental impacts.

Healthcare:

• illustrating patient flows through hospitals, including entry points, treatment stages, and outcomes, to improve patient care efficiency.
• Showing the distribution of medical resources or the progression of diseases through a population.

Information Technology:

• Tracking data flow within digital networks or software applications to enhance performance, identify vulnerabilities, and manage capacity.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are not only invaluable for conveying complex information in a visually appealing format but also a powerful decision-making tool in diverse fields. By leveraging these charts, professionals can uncover patterns, reveal inefficiencies, and make informed decisions more intuitively. It’s safe to say, the power of flows becomes transparent and accessible when visualized through the lens of Sankey charts, offering a visual odyssey into the intricacies of the systems they represent.

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.