Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool used to represent flows of entities between different categories, such as goods, energy, data, or people. Named after their inventor, Matthew Henry Phinney Sankey (1833-1916), these charts utilize arrows (also known as links or edges) to depict the quantities of flow between nodes (such as supply points, destinations, or categories). The widths of the arrows indicate the magnitude of the flows, making it easy to identify the more significant movements.

Introduction to Sankey Charts

Sankey charts are not just static graphs; they’re a dynamic way to understand complex systems. They’re particularly useful in fields such as energy analysis, supply chain management, economic flows, biometrics, and data analytics – where it’s imperative to capture and represent the direction, magnitude, and interrelationships of information.

Creation of Sankey Charts

Step 1: Data Collection
The first step involves gathering the necessary data related to flows. This could be the quantity of goods moved between supply points, the energy consumed by different categories, or the data transferred between servers in a network.

Step 2: Data Preparation
Next, clean and organize your data, making sure it includes each node (source and destination) and the corresponding flow value.

Step 3: Tool Selection
There are numerous tools available for creating Sankey charts, including software like D3.js, Plotly, Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and Python libraries like Bokeh and Plotly Express. The choice depends on the complexity of the data, specific features required, and your level of expertise.

Step 4: Design & Layout
Design your chart, positioning nodes, and arranging edges (arrows). Pay attention to the layout and the inclusion of labels for clear readability. Adjusting arrow widths dynamically is crucial, typically done using a color gradient or fixed scale.

Step 5: Visualization
Use your chosen tool to create the actual visualization, which should include tooltips for added information and interactions capability (like hover effects) for more detailed insights when users are exploring the data.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Supply Chain Management
Sankey charts can provide a clear picture of inventory flow and identify bottlenecks in the supply chain. They’re invaluable for logistics analysis, helping companies optimize transportation routes and identify inefficiencies.

Energy Sector
In energy industries, they are used to illustrate the flow of energy, revealing the sources and destinations of energy production, as well as any energy losses during transmission across different nodes.

Economic Models
Analysts can use Sankey charts to understand the economic flows between sectors or countries, which sheds light on trade relations, resource dependencies, and economic impacts.

Data Analytics
In data centers and IT infrastructure, Sankey charts can analyze data traffic, helping in identifying usage patterns and optimizing network efficiency.

Conclusion

Sankey charts are a versatile tool that can unlock insights into multiple types of systems. Their ability to visually represent flows makes them indispensable for data analysts, supply chain managers, and anyone seeking to understand complex interactions. Whether you’re looking to optimize a process, allocate resources efficiently, or analyze data flows, Sankey charts provide a visual aid that can transform your understanding of data into tangible insights. By empowering decision-makers with a clear depiction of how entities move between different categories, these charts facilitate better planning, analysis, and strategy development.

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.