Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that allows us to see how data flows from one source to another. These charts are named after their creator, energy engineer Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, who developed them in the late 1800s to demonstrate the inefficiencies of the steam-driven engine. Since then, Sankey charts have evolved and become an essential tool in various fields to better understand complex data flows, such as energy consumption, transportation, finance, and more. In this article, we will discuss the creation of Sankey charts, their key components, different types, and various applications in real-world scenarios.

Creation of Sankey Charts

1. Data Collection: Start with collecting the data that will be visualized. Common sources include datasets from energy consumption, transportation routes, financial transactions, or any scenario where flow is relevant.
2. Data Preparation: Organize the data into source and sink categories. Sources are where the flow begins, and sinks are where the flow ends. Each data point should include the “quantity” of the flow from a source to a sink.
3. Choosing the Right Tool: There are several tools available to create Sankey charts, including popular data visualization libraries like D3.js, libraries specifically designed for Sankey charts (such as Sankey.js or chart.js), or business intelligence tools like Tableau or Power BI.
4. Designing the Chart: Decide on the layout (parallel or orthogonal), the direction of the flow (usually from top to bottom or left to right), and the width of the bands, which should be proportional to the quantity of the flow.
5. Adding Details: Enhance the chart by adding colors to represent different categories, labels, or tooltips that provide additional information on hover. Legends can also help clarify what each color or style represents.

Key Components of Sankey Chart

1. Nodes: These are the points in the chart where the flow originates or where it terminates. Nodes often represent categories or types of items within the flow.
2. Links/Arrows: These connect the nodes and represent the flow between them. The width of the links visually conveys the magnitude of the flow.
3. Labels: Provide clarity and context, describing the categories or quantities represented by the nodes and flows.
4. Styling: Color, opacity, and formatting options can be utilized to make the information easily digestible and attractive.

Types of Sankey Charts

• Parallel: Shows flows that are side by side, which can be helpful for comparing flows between different categories.
• Orthogonal: Flows are shown in a grid pattern, which is useful for scenarios with numerous data points.
• Mixed: A combination of the previous two, where certain flows are parallel and others are orthogonal.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Energy Flow

Sankey charts are vital for understanding energy consumption across different sources (e.g., solar, fossil fuels, wind) and how it is used (consumption, storage, export).

Transportation Networks

For visualizing the flow of goods or passenger traffic in transportation systems (air, road, rail), these charts help in optimizing routes and reducing congestion.

Financial Transfers

In banking and finance, they are used to depict the flow of funds, identifying patterns, or inefficiencies in money movement.

Web Analytics

To illustrate user navigation patterns on websites, showing clicks, time spent, and bounce rates from one page to another.

Supply Chain Management

In logistics and manufacturing, Sankey charts help visualize material or information flow, aiding in supply chain optimization and inventory management.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a fascinating way to visualize complex data flows, offering insights into how data moves through a system. By using the right tools and understanding the key components, anyone can effectively create and apply Sankey charts to a wide range of fields, enhancing data understanding and decision-making processes. Whether you’re analyzing energy consumption, managing a transportation network, optimizing supply chains, or just exploring web user behavior, Sankey charts offer a powerful and intuitive method for gaining insights at a glance.

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.