Unraveling Complexity: How Sankey Charts Simplify Visualizing Flows and Their Stories

Introduction

In a world increasingly awash with data, the challenge of making sense of that data remains ever-present. Whether it is understanding the flow of energy within a power grid, the circulation of funds in a budget, or the movement of goods across a global marketplace, the task of effectively summarizing and visualizing these processes is not trivial. This is where Sankey charts come into play, offering a visually intuitive way to simplify and communicate the stories behind complex flows.

What Are Sankey Charts?

Sankey charts, named after their inventor, Matthew Henry Phineas Riall Sankey, are a type of flow diagram that represents the allocation of quantities—such as energy, water, or money—among different sources, intermediaries, and destinations. They use arrows, typically called “Sankey nodes” or “bars,” with varying colors and widths to visually emphasize the magnitude of flow between these nodes. The width of each arrow or “flow bar” signifies the volume or value of the transfer, making it easy to spot the most significant flows at a glance.

How to Create a Sankey Chart

Creating a Sankey chart requires three main components:

1. Data: This includes the source, the intermediate flows, and the destination. Each node represents a category, and the lines or arrows that connect them indicate the flow from one to another.
2. Node Definition: Identify and define the categories or states within your data. These will be your nodes.
3. Connection: Define the flows between these nodes, which will be depicted as the arrows or lines. Each flow should be associated with a strength value that determines the width of the arrow.

Tools for Creating Sankey Charts

Multiple tools and software are available for creating Sankey diagrams, both in desktop and online environments. Some popular options include:

• MS Project: This tool offers dynamic layout capabilities and is particularly useful for managing large datasets.
• Adobe Illustrator: For detailed design needs, such as customizing the color scheme or incorporating complex visual elements.
• Gephi: An open-source network visualization software that can handle large datasets and offers advanced filtering and layout options.
• Sankey Maker (web-based tool): Ideal for quick creation without any programming knowledge.

Applications of Sankey Charts

Energy Systems

Sankey charts are invaluable in the energy sector for visualizing the composition and flow of energy sources (e.g., oil, gas, solar, wind) and how they are transformed and used in a power grid. This helps stakeholders understand efficiency, potential bottlenecks, and the environmental impact of different energy transfers.

Economists and Finance

In finance and economics, Sankey charts can depict the flow of wealth or investment among different sectors, highlighting major players and identifying areas where wealth is predominantly concentrated or transferred. This is particularly useful in macroeconomic analyses or market overviews.

Environmental Science

Environmentally, Sankey diagrams are used to track material or energy flows in ecosystems and human activities. For instance, they can show the transformation of substances like carbon, nitrogen, or waste materials through various processes, illustrating the impact of human activities on the environment.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management

In logistics, Sankey charts help visualize the flow of goods across supply chains, pinpointing the most and least efficient segments. This can aid in optimizing logistics routes and identifying potential sources of waste or inefficiency.

Conclusion

Sankey charts serve as a powerful tool for simplifying the visualization of complex flows—be it data, resources, or information. Their ability to encode depth and direction in the representation of information makes them indispensable in fields that necessitate an understanding of interconnected processes. Whether it’s elucidating the intricacies of energy systems, charting the ebbs and flows of finance, or mapping the journey of materials through ecosystems, Sankey diagrams effectively transform data into narratively compelling visual stories.

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.