Sankey charts are a visually stunning way to represent flows and connections in data. These powerful data visualization tools are ideal for illustrating the movement of material, energy, or information between different states, locations, or categories. Sankey charts are a popular choice for industries like supply chain management, economics, environmental science, and web analytics. In this guide, we’ll explore the creation and applications of Sankey charts and why they are worth considering as an essential tool in your data visualization arsenal.

Understanding Sankey Charts

What Are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts are a type of flow diagram that visualizes how quantities are distributed between points or categories. They consist of nodes (sources, intermediates, and sinks) connected by arrows (flows) whose widths are proportional to the amount of flow between the nodes. This makes it easy to see how much is passing through and from each point, providing a clear picture of the system’s input, conversion, and output processes.

Key Components of a Sankey Chart

1. Nodes: These represent the start, intermediate, or end states of the flow.
2. Flow Lines (Arrows): Show the direction and magnitude of the flow between nodes. The widths of these lines correspond to the volume of the flow.
3. Source and Sink: The terms “source” and “sink” describe the beginning and end points of the flow, respectively. In many applications, sources are typically upstream positions in a process, while sinks are downstream or final destinations.
4. Labels: Add labels to nodes and flow lines to provide context and clarity to the chart.

Creation of Sankey Charts

Tools for Creating Sankey Charts

While you might design a Sankey chart using traditional tools like Adobe Illustrator, many data visualization tools also offer Sankey chart capabilities. Here are some popular tools suited for creating Sankey charts:

1. Microsoft Power BI

Power BI is a robust business analytics service that brings data to life through interactive visualizations, beautiful dashboards, and live integration with over 200 data sources. In Power BI, you can easily create Sankey diagrams directly from your data.

2. Tableau

Tableau is a widely-used BI and data preparation software that makes it easy for any data enthusiast to create interactive and shareable dashboards. Tableau’s intuitive data connection feature allows you to instantly create Sankey diagrams with just a few clicks.

3. Python Libraries

Developers who prefer programming can use the following Python libraries:

• Plotly: Python bindings for Plotly make it easy to create interactive Sankey charts, including embedding into web applications.
• Gerpier: This open-source library for Python offers advanced visualization capabilities, including Sankey charts.

4. R Libraries

If you’re familiar with the R programming language, several libraries can help you create Sankey diagrams:

• ggplot2: Although not native, one can leverage ggplot2 along with additional packages like SankeyPlotter.
• ggSankey: A dedicated R package that simplifies the creation of aesthetically pleasing Sankey diagrams.

Steps to Create a Sankey Chart

For example, using Microsoft Power BI:

1. Connect Data: Import your dataset containing the flow information (sources, destinations, volumes).
2. Design the Chart: In the visual designer, choose to add a “Sankey” chart. Power BI will automatically use the columns in your data to create flows.
3. Customize Appearance: Customize your chart by adding titles, labels, colors, and adjusting the layout for readability.
4. Analyze and Share: Explore the chart for insights and share it within your organization for collaborative discussion.

Applications of Sankey Charts

1. Supply Chain Management

In supply chain analysis, Sankey charts help in identifying bottlenecks and optimizing logistics by visualizing the flow of goods between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and final consumers.

2. Energy Systems

Sankey diagrams are commonly used in energy systems to track energy production, distribution, and consumption, helping in the assessment of energy efficiency and the identification of areas for improvement.

3. Web Analytics

Sankey charts can show user behavior patterns on websites, illustrating how visitors navigate through different pages. This is useful for improving website design and enhancing user experience.

4. Environmental Science

In environmental studies, Sankey diagrams can depict the flow of energy or mass between different components of an ecosystem or biogeochemical cycles, assisting in conservation and management strategies.

5. Logistics and Transportation

In logistics, Sankey charts are pivotal for visualizing and optimizing the transportation of goods, showing how materials are transported through various intermediate stages before reaching the final destination.

Conclusion

By leveraging the power of Sankey charts, data analysts can reveal insights that would otherwise be difficult to discern from raw data. With the availability of modern data visualization tools, creating Sankey charts has become simpler than ever, making them an indispensable tool in data analysis for a myriad of applications. Whether you’re a data-driven entrepreneur navigating a complex supply chain, a designer aiming to improve user experience on a website, or an environmental scientist studying ecological flows, Sankey charts offer a compelling way to visualize and communicate the intricacies of your data story.

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