Sankey charts are a unique type of flow diagram that allow users to visualize the dynamics of the flow between different nodes in a system. The chart displays the sizes of the flows with the width of the arrows, providing a clear and intuitive way to understand how different components within a system are connected and how data, energy, or materials move between them. This article explores the creation and applications of Sankey charts, offering insights into how they can be used to gain valuable insights and unlock powerful visualizations.

Creating Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are relatively straightforward to create when using visualization software such as Tableau, PowerBI, or even Excel for simpler projects. The key pieces of data you need are:
1. Nodes: These are the starting and ending points of the flows. Each node typically represents a category, process, or location.
2. Links (or Arrows): These represent the flow between nodes, with the width of the arrow indicating the magnitude of the flow. The direction of the arrow shows the direction of the flow.
3. Sinks and Sources: In a Sankey diagram, sinks are nodes with fewer (or no) incoming links, and sources are nodes with fewer (or no) outgoing links.

Here are the basic steps to create a Sankey chart:

1. Gather Data: Organize your data into a format that separates nodes and links, including the amount of flow between each pair of nodes.

2. Prepare Data: Ensure your data is cleaned and structured appropriately, converting any textual descriptions into categories or labels.

3. Use Appropriate Tools: Load your data into your chosen visualization software and use it to create a Sankey diagram.

Key Features of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are known for their ability to:
– Visualize Complex Data: They can handle and display multiple data streams simultaneously, making them ideal for complex systems.
– Highlight Flow Dynamics: The visual representation of flow widths makes it easy to identify sources, sinks, and major flows.
– Easily Analyze and Compare: By comparing Sankey charts of different time periods or scenarios, trends and changes in flow dynamics can be clearly identified.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Sankey charts have a wide variety of applications across different industries, including:

Energy and Utility Sector

• Energy Distribution Networks: Visualizing the flow of electricity, gas, or water distribution helps in identifying bottlenecks and optimizing resource allocation.
• Renewable Energy Systems: Illustrating energy transfers within wind farms, solar parks, or micro-grid systems aids in enhancing system efficiency and planning.

Business and Finance

• Operational Processes: Mapping the flow of materials, information, or transactions in supply chain, production, or service delivery systems can reveal inefficiencies and potential optimization opportunities.
• Financial Flows: Representing cash flows from different sources and destinations within an organization provides insights into revenue streams and expenditure patterns.

Environmental Studies

• Material Flow Analysis (MFA): Used to understand the sources and destinations of materials within ecosystems or industries, aiding in sustainability assessments and resource management.
• Carbon Footprint Analysis: Tracing the emission flows across different sectors and activities helps in identifying high-impact sources and guiding mitigation strategies.

Health and Public Health

• Healthcare Flow Charts: Visualizing the flow of patients through different stages of treatment or care pathways can help in improving healthcare systems and resource allocation.
• Epidemiological Modeling: Tracking the spread of diseases between populations through various transportation networks is essential for public health planning and intervention.

Conclusion

Sankey charts offer a powerful way to visualize and understand the dynamics of flow within any system, providing insights both visually and analytically. Whether you’re analyzing energy use, business processes, environmental flows, or healthcare delivery, the ability to see the sizes and directions of flows can provide decision-makers with valuable data-driven insights. With the right tools and data preparation, creating and utilizing Sankey charts can revolutionize how you approach complex systems and data analysis, leading to more informed and effective decision-making.

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.