Sankey charts are a type of data visualization that can help users understand complex flows of data or material. Sankey charts were invented by Captain Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey who used them in the 1860s to illustrate steam flow within a steam engine and the movement of energy in a power station. Since then, the popularity of Sankey chart has grown significantly, and it now offers an invaluable tool to visualizing complex flows of information.
In this article, we’ll delve into the creation of Sankey charts, commonly used software that can help create them, the principles behind designing effective Sankey diagrams, and its numerous applications, from scientific research to business analysis, among other fields.
Creating Sankey Charts
Sankey charts can be created using several design and data visualization software tools, such as:
Design Principles
1. Determine the Flow Data
To start creating your Sankey chart, define your data sources and destinations. These are the two endpoints of each “flow” that will be depicted in your chart. For instance, if this chart represents a material flow through a manufacturing process, your sources could be the materials entering the process, and your destinations could be the finished products.
2. Decide on the Nodes and Connections
Nodes represent the different points in the flow, such as the entry and exit points of a material or the transitions between various stages of a process. Ensure that these connections are intuitive and that each node is related to your data.
3. Choose a Design Layout
Different layouts can offer varying ways of understanding your data. Common layouts include horizontal and vertical orientations. Horizontal Sankey charts follow a line of flow from left to right (or right to left), while vertical charts flow top to bottom (or bottom to top).
4. Set Flow Quantities and Colors
Use color to differentiate between different flows. You can also use it to represent the magnitude of the flow, such as varying the line thickness depending on the relative size of each flow. This can help in emphasizing certain data points over others.
5. Final Touches: Enhancements and Clarity
Ensure that your Sankey chart is not cluttered. Consider the use of labels and annotations where necessary to provide context to the data. For example, you might want to include legends, tooltips for detailed data, or additional visual elements like background grids to guide the viewer.
Tools for Construction
1. Microsoft Power BI
Microsoft Power BI has a Sankey diagram feature that can handle a wide range of source types and allow you to visualize any large data volume with sophisticated interactivity.
2. Tableau
Tableau provides an intuitive Sankey diagram tool to design interactive and dynamic visualizations with easy data import capabilities.
3. R & Python Libraries
With R, you can use libraries like ‘sante’ or ‘plotly’ to create Sankey diagrams. Python offers libraries like ‘sankey,’ ‘plotly_express,’ and ‘networkx’ to design Sankey charts for complex data structures.
Applications of Sankey Charts
1. Business Analysis
Sankey diagrams can help visualize material or information flow processes within companies, aiding in better supply chain management, cost optimization, and process efficiency improvement.
2. Energy Management
Scientists and engineers in the energy field use Sankey diagrams to represent energy consumption, conversion, and distribution in systems, helping to identify and optimize energy use.
3. Health Research
In health economics, Sankey diagrams can illustrate the flow of resources, investments, and outcomes within healthcare systems, offering insights into how finances affect care delivery.
4. Environmental Studies
Environmental researchers use Sankey diagrams to depict carbon or material flows in ecosystems, tracking how elements like water, nutrients, or pollution travel through different environments.
5. Traffic and Transport Studies
In urban planning and transport studies, Sankey diagrams provide a clear view of traffic flows, helping planners optimize congestion, plan new routes, and evaluate the effectiveness of transportation systems.
In conclusion, Sankey charts offer a unique perspective on complex data, making the visualization of flows and systems understandable at a glance. They are a powerful tool for decision makers in various fields to optimize processes, understand relationships, and identify trends within data-driven outcomes. By understanding the principles behind creating a Sankey chart and its diverse applications, you can unlock the power of this innovative visualization tool in your work or research.
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