Sankey charts are a powerful visualization tool that can help unravel complexity and bring clarity to data flows. These charts are named after Captain Matthew Henry Phinehas Sankey, an engineer who used color-coded arrows to illustrate the energy flow in his coal processing machinery in the late 1800s. Since then, the concept of Sankey diagrams has been adopted and expanded upon in various fields, becoming a popular choice for visualizing complex flows of data, assets, or resources.

What is a Sankey Chart?

A Sankey chart is a type of flow diagram that uses arrows or bands to represent the quantity of a flow between different states or categories. The width of each arrow or band indicates the quantity or amount of flow between the two points it connects, making it an excellent tool for visually representing the magnitude and direction of the flow.

Key Components of a Sankey Chart

1. Nodes: These represent categories or groups through which the flow is passing. Nodes are typically depicted as rectangles or circles.
2. Connections: These are represented by arrows connecting the nodes, illustrating the flow from one category to another.
3. Arrow Width: The width of the arrows (or the bands that Sankey charts often use instead) reflects the magnitude of the flow between categories.

Creation and Customization of Sankey Charts

There are various software tools and platforms available for creating Sankey charts, including:

1. Online Tools

• Canva has a user-friendly interface for creating Sankey diagrams.
• Visme offers customizable templates and drag-and-drop functionality.
• Sofie’s Sankey is a dedicated tool that allows more detailed customization.

2. Programming Libraries and APIs

• Matplotlib in Python provides Sankey chart functionality.
• D3.js for web developers, which offers a high level of customization and interactivity.
• R’s ggplot2 offers Sankey chart creation with the networkD3 package.

3. Specific Tools for Data Analysis

• Tableau provides robust visualization capabilities, including Sankey charts.
• Qlik Sense offers advanced visualization and analytics for complex data sets.

Customization Options

Sankey charts can be customized in multiple ways, such as:

• Color Schemes: Different colors can be used to distinguish types of flows or to separate flows by categories.
• Layout: You can control the layout to optimize the view, such as changing the angles of the arrows or grouping categories by color.
• Interactivity: Some tools allow for interactive Sankey charts that can be explored by dragging or clicking, offering deeper insights into the data.

Applications of Sankey Charts

1. Energy Flows

Sankey charts are often used to illustrate energy flows within industrial processes, renewable energy production, or the global energy trade, making it easier to understand energy conversion and usage patterns.

2. Resource Management

In manufacturing, supply chain management, or business transactions, Sankey charts can help visualize the flow of resources, materials, or assets, aiding in the optimization of processes and identifying potential bottlenecks or inefficiencies.

3. Social Sciences

Economists, sociologists, and political scientists use Sankey charts to depict flows of goods, services, or people, providing insights into trade relationships, migration patterns, or the distribution of wealth.

4. Web Analytics

Website users and content distribution can be visualized using Sankey charts, showing how traffic moves through a site, highlighting popular paths and identifying areas for improvement.

5. Social Network Analysis

In studying relationships and interactions between individuals or entities, Sankey charts can represent the flow of information, relationships, or influence in networks, helping researchers understand complex relational dynamics.

Conclusion

Sankey charts offer a unique and powerful way to visualize complex flows of information, resources, or data, making them indispensable tools for anyone dealing with multifaceted relationships and intricate datasets. By leveraging modern tools and platforms, creating informative and visually appealing Sankey charts has become more accessible than ever. These charts not only enhance understanding but also facilitate better decision-making processes across various disciplines and industries. Whether you’re analyzing energy consumption in smart cities, optimizing production flows in manufacturing processes, or exploring social network interactions, Sankey charts are an essential tool to unravel complexity and visualize flows like never before.

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.